What Is The Avian Flu?

Have you ever imagined a bird with a fever and a cough? Probably not. But birds can get the flu just like humans can. Birds have their own strains of flu that can make them sick. Certain strains of the flu have caused more severe sickness in birds than others. One emerging strain of influenza, called H5N1, is of special concern to public health officials. This strain has infected and killed hundreds of thousands of birds, and has shown that it can jump the species barrier and infect humans as well.  As of January 2008, 350 cases of bird flu in humans have been confirmed, resulting in severe sickness and 216 deaths worldwide.  The mortality rate of the H5N1 strain of bird flu in humans is over 50%. People can get Avian Flu from contact with infected birds, their raw products, or bird feces.

Signs and symptoms of a Avian Flu infection include severe flu symptoms such as fever, cough, muscle aches and sore throat, accompanied by more serious complications like eye infections and pneumonia that can be fatal. Each time a person is infected, the H5N1 virus has a new chance to mutate into a virus that could become transmissible to others. If person-to-person transfer was to occur, it could lead to a global outbreak, or pandemic.

As of January 2008, no cases of bird flu in birds or humans have been reported in the US. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] has listed Pandemic Avian Flu preparedness as one of its chief concerns. There is currently no vaccine available for Avian Flu. The best method for decreasing risk of infection involves personal preparedness, sanitation, and infection control methods. Individuals and communities must be informed and take the necessary precautions to ensure their health and safety. The following websites and materials will help you be prepared in the event of a flu pandemic.

We’re On The Radio!

KKIQ Interview - Avian Bird Flu, February 3, 2008

Gregory Hartl, Sabina Imrie, and Nicole Gehmlich with Ted Asregadoo

Download the Interview: mp3

(Please be patient as the entire interview downloads.)

Brochures and Newsletter (pdf)

Pandemic Flu Emergency Preparedness Brochure for Senior Citizens

Pandemic Flu Preparedness Brochure - English

Preparación para una Pandemia de Gripe - Espanol

Pandemic Preparedness Newsletter - Basic information about Avian flu and pandemic preparedness, how to protect yourself and your loved ones, includes list of items to keep on hand, hand washing tips and definitions of words used.

Community Resources and Information

Pandemic Information for Citizen Emergency Response Team Members (pdf) - Pandemic Information for Citizen Emergency Response Team Members What are your duties as a CERT member? Spread information about bird preparedness before a pandemic occurs. In the event of a pandemic, your duty is to stay at home, secure yourself and your family, and listen to public and health officials.

http://pandemicflu.gov - Learn all about Avian Flu as well as easy steps you can take to prepare and decrease your risks if an outbreak should occur.

http://redcross.org - Find great resources for emergency preparedness, including Avian Flu outbreak.

http://cdc.gov/flu/avian - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Avian Flu website.

http://www.acphd.org/ - The Alameda County Public Health Department website.

Resources For Businesses

Alameda County Health Department Business Continuity Guide and Template

Common Questions and Answers about Human Resource Policies and Pandemic Planning

Business Checklist for Pandemic Planning

Business and Industry Guide to Disaster Preparedness

School Curriculum

Germ Buster Poster, Grades 3-5 (pdf)

Wash Hands Poster, Grades K-2 (pdf)

Germ Buster Team Member Cards (pdf)

Germ Buster Training, Grades 3-5 (Powerpoint Presentation - 856KB)

Click on the link and choose SAVE to download to your computer to view page thumbnails and teaching notes.

Our Hands Curriculum, Grades K-2 (Powerpoint Presentation - 1.20MB)
Click on the link and choose SAVE to download to your computer to view page thumbnails and teaching notes.