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The Boston Harbor ES Site Council has formed a subcommittee to examine preparedness issues around a possible bird flu pandemic. We have prepared this fact sheet with references for you to review and consider whether you should make some preparations for a possible pandemic (uncontrolled spread of bird flu among humans). We hope that you find this sheet helpful and that you will review some of the useful web sites that are referred to here, and/or are being posted on the Boston Harbor Elementary School web site, http://bostonharbor.osd.wednet.edu/1parents/avianflu2-16-06.
Quick Facts:
. Avian, or bird flu, is a form of influenza that is transmitted among birds. The virus, called H5N1, has infected some humans since 1997. As of mid-February 2006 it has spread to parts of Asia, Europe and one country in Africa.
. Bird flu has four levels of impact:
1. Found in wild birds (swans, mockingbirds, ducks) (ie, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Greece)
2. Found in domestic birds (ducks, chickens, turkeys, ducks, ostrich in numerous countries)
3. Transmitted to humans from birds (Indonesia, China, Russia, Iraq, Vietnam, Turkey, Cambodia, etc.)
4. Human-to-human transmission (pandemic starts – not happening yet)
. Humans have no immunity to bird flu, mortality is 50%. H5N1 is the flu that killed over 50 million worldwide in 1918
. Has currently spread to 3 continents, including Europe (Germany, Austria, Greece, Belgium, etc.)., through wild migratory birds and/or through domestic and wild bird sale and trade. Has not spread to North or South America.
. Currently infects only humans who are in close contact with sick or dead birds. Infected birds can shed the virus in their secretions and droppings. Is not found in fully cooked poultry or eggs.
. If it mutates to become transmissible human-to-human, a pandemic would start. It would spread the same way flu spreads: Coughs, sneezing, close breathing, virus left on door handles, phones, etc.
. There is no vaccine available for it yet. Some antiviral drugs such as Tamiflu may lesson symptoms if given within first two days
Possible precautions to take in the event of a flu pandemic:
. Disinfect door handles, phones, computer keyboards etc. with anti-germ products during flu season or during pandemic
. Stay away from sick people, keep sick kids home from school
. In the event of a pandemic or a family member stricken with bird flu, consider protective masks, gloves, clothing
. Provide closed recepticles for tissues, hand towels, etc.
. Require hand washing or hand sanitizing before meals, snacks, after shopping, sports, etc.
. Teach kids how to wash hands, use tissues, cover coughs, not touch mouth, nose and eyes, etc.
. Direct children not to touch sick or dead wild or domestic birds, report to school and/or local authorities
. Stock up on foods and other goods in case of extended periods of “social distancing” –staying at home to reduce risk of exposure to bird flu (see list at http://www.pandemicflu.gov/planguide/checklist.html).
References: http://www.metrokc.gov/health/prevcont/pandemic-flu.htm#risk; http://pandemicflu.gov/;
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/pdf/avianflufacts.pdf.