Avian Influenza

• Basics
• Terminology
• Update
• Planning Update

Terminology

• Seasonal Flu – predictable seasonable pattern. Usually some degree of immunity in population.
• Avian Flu – Any of several influenza viruses that infect primarily birds but may on occasion infect a human. Currently HPAI H5N1 is a avian flu.
• Pandemic Flu – A global influenza pandemic occurs when a new influenza A virus emerges for which there is little or no immunity in the human populations. The virus may cause serious illness and then spread from human to human easily.

Seasonal vs. Pandemic Flu

Seasonal	Pandemic
Approx 36,000 deaths annually	Death rates variable (American) 1918: 500,000 deaths 1957 70,000 deaths 1968 34,000 deaths
Some degree of Immunity in humans	New virus with little to no immunity in humans
Predictable	Unpredictable with 2-3 waves
Vaccines available	Vaccines not available for 6 months after it presents

Public Preparedness

• Federal
• State
• Regional
• Individual

Individual

• Planning – Family, Work
  • Telecommuting
  • Pre-established sick leave policies
  • Food/Water supplies
• Avoiding large gatherings – social distancing
• Public Health Measures
  • Hygiene
  • Voluntary Quarantine/Isolation

• Establish care with a primary provider
• Ensure you have health insurance
• Ensure you have an adequate supply of your daily medications – approx 6 weeks supply
• Get the annual Flu shot and any other immunizations

Employers

• Permissive Leave Policies
• Social Distancing (telework, teleconference, email)
• Controls to decrease transmission
• Medical Screening
• Control Access to public

Prevention

• Non-Pharmacologic Interventions
  • Hygiene
  • Triage – medical screening facilities
  • Self-Isolation
  • School/Day-Care Closings
  • Avoidance of Crowds (Social Distancing)
  • Occupational Use of Masks / Respirators
• Pharmacologic Interventions
  • Prophylaxis
  • Anti-viral medications: Tamiflu, Relenza
  • Vaccine production and distribution

Treatment

• Done at Local health clinics and hospitals
• Anti-virals may not be effective due to resistance and uncertain dosing.
• Treatment is largely supportive.

OAP During Pandemic

• Assist with planning
• Education
• Coordination – establish relationships with medical assets
• Encourage and promote personal prevention
• Provide medical recommendations to Leadership and emergency planners
• Medical screening on Capitol Hill
  • Two screening facilities on Capitol Hill (House and Senate)
  • Screening centers designed to identify concerning symptoms and to send those afflicted home or to their local provider
  • Not intended to be a place to receive treatment