05/11/2006

Forum

The low down on the Avian Influenza

BY FREDERICK L. KEESLAR

All the concern now about a pandemic of Avian Influenza (bird flu) adds one more issue for the public to either be worried or complacent about. Here is a short list of what you need to know, and what you can do:

Terms to know:

• Epidemic and pandemic: When a disease, often a new one, infects many more people than normal it is an epidemic. If it spreads to more than one continent then it is a pandemic.

• Bird flu: Many animals get some sort of flu, including birds. Often the flu that originates in birds then spreads to people. When it is a new version, people often get sicker and even die.

• Quarantine: Years ago there were no medications or vaccinations for diseases. When ships come to a port city the crew and passengers were forced to stay on the ship for 40 days to be sure they were not infected with some disease that would spread. Forced quarantines are not very effective.

• Social distancing: People either staying home, limiting gatherings of people (like closing school), keeping a respectful distance from others (so you don't sneeze or cough on other people), and good hygienic practices such as hand washing so that a disease like the flu is not easily spread.

• Sick animals: Birds, wild and domestic, and other wild animals that are dying or dead, but not road kill. An important number is a group of six dead birds. That is considered significant.

What you need to do:

• Stock up on water, food and prescription drugs, so you can stay at home to protect yourself or if you get sick you will not have to go to the store.

• Make a family plan of how your family would cope with an emergency. Don't expect the government to fix all the problems quickly. Think Katrina!

• Check the news for any alerts of an actual emergency such as a pandemic. In an emergency, the media will have information on where to get medication or vaccinations.

• Check with your employer to see if they have a plan for an emergency. If they don't, volunteer to be on a committee to make a plan.

• Report dead birds. Remember, if six chickens or wild ducks are obviously sick or dead, report it.

What and where to report:

• Domestic birds like chickens: (517) 373-1077; after hours, (517) 373-0440.

• Wild birds, six or more: (517) 336-5030; after hours, (800) 292-7800.

Reliable internet sites:

1. www.pandemicflu.gov/planguide/checklist.html

2. www.michigan.gov/influenza

3. www.michigan.gov/emergingdiseases

4. www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/birdbiosecurity/hpai.html

5. www.cdc.gov

6. www.grandtraverse.org

(Cut this list out and paste it to your refrigerator door.)

Public Health people do not know for sure if there will be a pandemic, but we will do our best to keep you informed.

About the author: Frederick L. Keeslar has been Health Officer/Administrator for the Grand Traverse County Health Department for 14 years. He received a Master of Science degree in Public Health at the University of North Carolina School of Public Health.