Emergency Preparedness - Pandemic

Pandemics are worldwide outbreaks of communicable disease, usually a form of influenza. Currently, avian influenza is a major public health concern because of the threat to individual victims and the potential risk of transformation into a pandemic disease. So far, the disease is limited mostly to wild birds and poultry, but other animals have been infected. Some human cases have occurred when there is close and direct contact with infected birds. Human-to-human transmission is still very rare, but if the virus mutates in such a way that allows it to spread easily from human to human, then the potential for a widespread epidemic or pandemic becomes much greater.

Local agencies are working with the Pasadena Public Health Department Emergency Preparedness Partnership of government and community organizations to coordinate communications and response in the event of a pandemic. Their Avian Influenza FAQ Web page (http://cityofpasadena.net/publichealth/pphd_home/birdflu_faqs.asp) provides valuable information on the bird flu and the city's pandemic response preparations.

At this time there are no avian influenza-specific precautions that personnel should take. Travelers to affected areas are in no special risk as long as they are not in direct contact with infected birds. The County of Los Angeles shows no alert levels at this time. (http://www.labt.org/health_alerts.asp?group_id=2&menu_id=2)

While no avian influenza-specific protective measures are needed at this time, general personal protective measures should be observed to prevent the spread of any illness -- whether it's the common cold or a pandemic flu. The following measures are common to the prevention of colds, the seasonal flu and were effective during the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS.

Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough.
Clean your hands often.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Keep your distance from others who are obviously ill.
Stay home when you are sick and check with a health care provider when needed.
Practice good health habits.

Currently there is no risk from eating poultry, eggs or pork if they are cooked properly by heating to 160 degrees F internally. Since 2005, there has been an embargo on the importation of birds and unprocessed bird products from countries where the avian flu virus has been found in domestic poultry.

Although vaccines are under development and antiviral medications are available for the avian flu, their effectiveness will need to be assessed at the time of a future pandemic. The World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control are working on this issue.

Reliable and regularly updated information on the avian flu is available from the following sources:

Centers for Disease Control (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/)
U.S. government Web site Pandemic Flu.Gov (http://www.pandemicflu.gov/)
The World Health Organization (http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/)
California's Pandemic Web Site (http://bepreparedcalifornia.ca.gov/EPO/BeInformed/Flu/)