Avian Flu FAQs
About the Flu
What is it?
The Avian flu gets its name because it is typically
transmitted between, affects, infects, and can be fatal
to birds. "Avian flu," or "bird flu," is a collective
name for a variety of viruses that occur naturally
among birds. Generally carried by wild birds,
the bird flu is extremely contagious among bird populations
and can make domesticated birds (including chickens,
ducks and turkeys) fatally ill.
Although the Avian flu does not typically infect
humans, there have been numerous cases of human infections
reported since 1997. Almost all of these cases
were caused by the H5N1 strain of virus. The
causes of the infections are the result of direct
contact with infected poultry or through direct contact
with contaminated surfaces at venues such as live
bird markets. Confirmed reports of the spread
of avian flu viruses from one ill person to another
remain rare. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently confirmed one case of human-to-human transmission of the H5N1 virus, in which the virus mutated and was passed to a third person. Officials confirm that the virus died with the third person and did not transmit to others.
How do I keep from getting it?
If a human becomes infected with avian flu today, it is
mostly likely from close contact with infected birds.
Therefore, any unnecessary contact with birds and
bird products, including uncooked poultry, should
be avoided. Careful and frequent hand washing
is one of the most important preventative practices
to avoid the avian flu and other diseases.
Is there a cure?
At this time, a cure for avian flu has not yet been
developed. However, antiviral treatments have
proven somewhat effective in treating the disease.
Scientists around the world are currently conducting
studies to find a cure for humans infected with the
disease. They are also investigating vaccine
options to prevent the spread of the disease.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of avian flu in humans are similar to the
symptoms of the common flu: Fever higher than
100°F (38°C) associated with a sore throat; difficulty
breathing and other respiratory symptoms such as a
dry or hacking cough; a feeling of exhaustion; severe
muscle aches; and thin mucus, such as a runny nose.
Because these symptoms are similar to the common flu,
avian flu cannot be diagnosed based on symptoms alone,
but requires a laboratory test. Swab samples
are taken from the throat or the nose and tested on
a molecular level. The incubation period for avian
flu may be as long as seven days, so symptoms may
not develop until a week after exposure.
What do I do if I think I have it?
If you think you may have Avian Flu, contact your
healthcare provider immediately. Be sure to
tell them your symptoms, whether you have had direct
contact with poultry, and where you have recently
traveled. Antiviral treatments are only successful
if they are administered within two days of initial
symptoms.
Won't I be protected if I received my seasonal flu shot?
The flu can come from any one of a number of viruses.
Each year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration predetermines
the particular flu virus for which a vaccine will
be developed. Due to the varying types of viruses,
the vaccine for the common flu of that year will not
prevent the spread of the Avian Flu.
How does it spread?
Avian flu is spread through direct contact with infected
birds, either living or dead. Most specifically,
the virus is found in their saliva, nasal secretions,
and feces. Surfaces that have been exposed to
any of these bird products may also be contaminated.
Health officials believe that nearly all people who
have contracted the Avian Flu have done so through
close contact with infected birds.
Is there a vaccine?
To be most effective, a vaccine must be created based
upon the virus causing the pandemic. As a pandemic
is not yet occurring, vaccine manufacturers do not
know for which virus to develop a vaccine. Currently,
there are not any vaccines ready for commercial production,
and none are expected to be widely available until
several months after the start of a pandemic.
What is the status of vaccine development and production?
Experimental vaccines are being tested to determine
which formulations will be the most effective.
Once a virus has emerged as a pandemic, vaccination
production for that strain of flu can begin.
It is difficult to create a vaccine because the virus
is likely to mutate, possibly making that particular
vaccine ineffective.
Should I wear a surgical mask or gloves to prevent exposure to the avian flu?
Surgical masks and gloves are not recommended for
routine use in preventing influenza exposure.
However, in the event of a pandemic, they can be helpful
in limiting exposure to the disease.
Who is most vulnerable to bird flu?
As with the common flu, the populations most at risk
would be young children and the elderly. Also
at risk are people who have direct contact with poultry,
birds and their excretions and secretions, people
with compromised immune systems, anyone with chronic
heart or lung conditions, and women who are pregnant.
Can I still eat chicken?
Yes. Chicken that is cooked to a temperature
of 158° F (70° C) is safe for consumption. Cooked
eggs are also safe to consume. If handling raw
poultry or eggs, take precaution. Keep raw meat
separate from cooked meat, and wash your hands and
all surfaces and utensils afterwards.
If mammals can contract it, should I be concerned about my dog and cat?
While it is possible for domestic cats to contract
the avian flu virus, there have been very few reports
around the world. Any reported incidents of
pets contracting the disease are directly related
to occurrences of the animal consuming an infected
bird. There is no evidence that cats have spread
the virus to humans. There is very limited information
on dogs being affected by the avian flu, however,
the CDC, USDA, and several veterinary organizations
are working to gain more knowledge in this area.
Back to Top
Global Situation
How many people have died from it?
As of June 23, 2008, 385 people have been diagnosed with
avian flu, 243 people have died from the disease.
If there has not yet been any documented human-to-human transmission, why
all the concern about a pandemic?
There is a possibility that the H5N1 strain will
mutate into a virus that affects humans. In
humans, the H5N1 virus is aggressive, with rapid deterioration
and high fatality, with primary viral pneumonia and
multi-organ failure common. If the virus mutates
into a form that is highly infectious for humans,
it will spread easily between people and could create
a global outbreak.
What countries have human cases?
Countries that have confirmed human cases of Avian Flu include:
- Azerbaijan
- Cambodia
- China
- Djibouti
- Egypt
- Indonesia
- Iraq
|
- Lao People's Democratic Republic
- Myanmar
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Thailand
- Turkey
- Vietnam
|
What countries have non-human
cases?
Countries with confirmed non-human cases of the avian
flu include:
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bangledesh
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Burkina Faso
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- China
- Cote-d'Ivoire
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Egypt
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Ghana
|
- Greece
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Kazakhstan
- India
- Indonesia
- Iraq
- Iran
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Korea
- Laos
- Malaysia (peninsular)
- Mongolia
- Niger
- Palestinian Auton. Territories
|
- Philippines
- Poland
- Romania
- Russia
- Saudi Arabia
- Serbia Montenegro
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sudan
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taipei China
- Thailand
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- Vietnam
- Zimbabwe
|
Do migratory birds spread
the disease?
Yes, migratory birds have been known to spread the
disease among bird populations.
Are any travel restrictions
to avian flu countries recommended?
At this time, neither the CDC, WHO, nor MEDEX recommends
travel restrictions to countries affected by the avian
flu.
Why is the death rate
so high?
The death rate for individuals affected by avian
flu is so high because humans have no natural immunity
toward the disease. Vaccinations, once developed,
will help humans develop immunity towards the disease
and should therefore lower the death rate.
Back to Top
Pandemic Information
What is a pandemic?
A pandemic is a global disease outbreak, identifiable
by meeting three conditions: 1) it affects humans
and causes illness; 2) there is little or no human
immunity; and 3) it spreads easily and consistently
among humans. There have been three influenza
pandemics in the 20th century. Worldwide,
40 million people died in 1918, 2 million people died
in 1957, and 700,000 people died in 1968. The
sharp decline in the death rate is due primarily to
advances in hygiene and medicine.
How should I prepare for a pandemic?
You can prepare for a pandemic by staying informed
about the situation. Take appropriate
steps to prevent transmission of the disease, such
as washing your hands frequently, limiting your exposure
to birds and people who may be infected, and seeing
a physician as soon as you suspect symptoms.
What changes are needed for H5N1 to become a pandemic virus?
H5N1 may become a pandemic virus in one of two ways.
It can gradually mutate into a form that infects humans,
or it can exchange genes with an influenza strain
that already infects humans, creating a new virus.
The World Health Organization, the World Organization
for Animal Health, and the Food and Agriculture Organization
are currently monitoring the global movement of the
H5N1 and other influenza strains.
What are the warning signals that a pandemic is about to start?
Early warning signs of an upcoming pandemic begin
with clusters of patients exhibiting the same symptoms.
When these patients are closely related, there is
a possibility of human-to-human transmission.
Each reported avian flu case is researched to confirm
the diagnosis, identify the source of that particular
outbreak, and determine the occurrence of human-to-human
transmission.
Can a pandemic be prevented?
Typically, if identified and contained within the
first 30 days of an outbreak, a pandemic may be prevented.
However, it may take some countries up to 30 days
to confirm the diagnosis and determine the cause of
the transmission of the disease. In many instances,
the 30-day timeframe has been surpassed before an
official statement has been declared by the local
government, bringing to question the world's ability
to contain a pandemic.
Is the world adequately prepared for a pandemic?
The World Health Organization has urged all countries
to develop pandemic preparedness plans, however only
approximately 40 have actually done so. While
many countries are stockpiling antiviral drugs, the
manufacturers are unable to keep up with the current
demand for the medication. If a pandemic is
in the immediate future, most developing countries
will have little or no access to vaccines and antiviral
drugs.
If there is an outbreak of pandemic flu, is there any way to protect myself?
As with any other flu virus, the best way to protect
yourself against avian flu is through frequent hand
washing. One of the most preventable methods
of transference is by covering the nose and mouth
when coughing or sneezing. Anyone with a cough
and a fever of over 100°F (38°C) should seek medical
attention.
Should I ask my doctor for Tamiflu now so that I can take it if there is
ever a pandemic?
Stockpiling Tamiflu or any other antiviral medication
is not recommended for individuals. Antiviral
medications including Tamiflu and Relenza have not
yet been proven effective against the H5N1 influenza
strain and are in short supply. By stockpiling,
individuals would be taking these medications away
from the people who could most benefit from them,
not only during a pandemic, but also during regular
flu season. Governments are currently creating
their own stockpiles for the event of a pandemic.
Is a bird flu pandemic imminent?
The timing and severity of a pandemic cannot be predicted.
Many scientists believe that it is only a matter of
time before the avian flu, or some other disease,
reaches pandemic proportions.
What is the government doing to prepare for bird flu?
Governments around the world are taking steps to
prepare for an avian flu outbreak. In the United
States, preparing for a pandemic is a collaborative
effort between federal, state, and local officials.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is
working with the World Health Organization and other
nations to contain outbreaks, developing a national
stockpile of antiviral medication, and supporting
the manufacture of possible vaccines. In addition,
they are working with other federal agencies to prepare
for the impact that a pandemic may have on local and
national infrastructure.
The steps that other countries are taking to prepare
for the Avian Flu range from little or no preparations
to full pandemic response plans. Indonesia has
promised free medication to victims; Australia has
thermal imaging screeners ready to deploy to airports
within hours should a pandemic outbreak occur; and
Greece, having prepared for biological concerns during
the 2004 Summer Olympics, has a set contingency plan
in place. To find out more information about
specific countries, check with that country's government
website.
Are there specific items I should keep on hand in the case of a pandemic?
In the event of a pandemic, you may wish to have
antibacterial hand gel or soap available. Gloves
and masks may help limit your exposure, but are not
necessarily an effective precautionary step.
What is the shelf life of Tamiflu?
According to the manufacturer, Roche, the shelf life
of Tamiflu is 5 years.
Back to Top
Businesses and the Avian
Flu
How will a pandemic affect my business?
If a pandemic develops, many people will be unable
to go to work. Others may stay home to care
for family, or be too scared to leave their house.
Businesses will experience absenteeism, and can therefore
expect a drop in productivity. You can expect
disruptions in transportation, trade, payment systems,
and major utilities. The World Bank estimates
that a flu pandemic would cost $800 billion
in a single year.
What if there is an outbreak
in a location where I have travelers?
If you have travelers where there is an outbreak,
they should immediately begin to monitor their health
for symptoms. Remind them to wash their hands
frequently, to cover their nose and mouth when they
cough or sneeze, and to limit their exposure to live
birds and people who are ill. If your company
wishes for those travelers to return to their home
countries, you should be aware of any travel restrictions
that may be placed upon them, such as being quarantined
upon their return home. Contact MEDEX for assistance
in this matter.
How can I prepare my business for a pandemic?
Your business can prepare by developing a business
continuity plan. With almost a quarter of the
population expected to be infected, your business
should be prepared for the drop in demand, as well
as the rise in absenteeism. The plan should
include information about continuing operations without
key individuals being present. It is possible
for a flu pandemic to last longer than a year, so
making sure that your business is properly prepared
is essential to economic survival. Fortunately,
many companies specialize in developing business continuity
plans. For more information on business planning,
please click here.
Are there specific items
that I should have my international travelers take
with them on their trips?
To limit flu exposure, international travelers may
wish to have antibacterial hand gel with them.
This can help limit exposure not just to avian flu,
but other viruses as well.
How can I prepare my employees?
You can prepare your employees by making sure that
they know and understand basic avian flu facts.
There are many locations throughout the world that
are not yet affected by the virus, and others where
the virus has not yet affected humans.
Protecting themselves against the avian flu is no
different than protecting themselves against the common
flu virus - frequent hand washing, and limited exposure
to possible sources of infection. In locations
affected by avian flu, it is best for travelers to
avoid live bird markets and other locations with poultry
and fowl.
What absenteeism rate should I expect?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate
that up to 35% of the workforce could be affected
by the avian flu at any given time.
The Ontario (Canada) Ministry of Health projects a 35% illness rate and a 40-50% absence rate.
Back to Top
|