Question: What is a practical way to educate myself and my family about Avian Flu (sometimes called Bird Flu)?
• Download a printable poster: "Bird Flu and You-Simple Things You Can Do to Protect Yourself and Your Family" [PDF format]
Question: Where can I find information about a possible Avian Flu outbreak?
• Find key facts, breakout information, travel advice, and guidance for professionals from the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) by visiting the CDC Avian Flu website: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/
• Call the CDC Avian Flu Hotlines: 800-CDC-INFO; 888-232-6348 (TTY)
• Professionals: Register for CDC Clinician Updates and Training Opportunities: http://www.bt.cdc.gov/clinregistry/index.asp
Question: Is there a possibility of an Avian Flu outbreak in the United States?
• The CDC states that the current risk to Americans from the Bird Flu outbreak in Asia is low. The strain of virus found in Asia has not been found in the United States. There have been no human cases of this flu in the United States. It is possible that travelers returning from affected countries in Asia could be infected. Since February 2004, medical and public health personnel have been watching closely to find any such cases.
• See the following website for more information: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/facts.htm
Question: What is the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) doing about prevention of an Avian Flu outbreak?
• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture banned the importation of birds from Southeast Asia in 2004. For more information visit: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2004pres/20040204.html
• Visit the USDA's website for the latest information on preventative measures being taken by the USDA: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/issues/avian_influenza/index.html
• For more information about avian influenza or emergency preparedness, contact:
USDA, APHIS VS
Emergency Programs
4700 River Road, Unit 41
Riverdale, MD 20737-1231
Telephone (310) 734-8073
Fax (301) 734-7817
Question: What is the federal government doing to prevent the outbreak of Avian Flu in the United States?
• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is working through its office of Global Health Affairs (see http://www.globalhealth.gov) to educate Americans and individuals around the world. In an effort to improve international cooperation and coordination in the fight against Avian Flu, Secretary Michael Leavitt led a high-level delegation to Asia on a five-country visit on October 12, 2005. HHS is in the process of completing the development of a comprehensive pandemic plan in the case of an outbreak.
• The U. S. Department of Defense (DoD) is working with the Center for Disease Control to stockpile vaccines and amassing antiviral drugs capable of treating Avian Flu. Visit the following website for more information: http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Oct2005/20051006_2963.html
• The U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) is taking part in a number of pandemic prevention and preparedness activities, including the following:
Working with the Association of Public Health Laboratories on training workshops for state laboratories on the use of special laboratory (molecular) techniques to identify infections viruses.
Working with the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists and others to help states with pandemic planning efforts.
Working with other agencies such as the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration on antiviral stockpile issues.
Working with the World Health Organization (WHO) and Vietnamese Ministry of Health to investigate virus strains in Vietnam and to provide help in laboratory diagnostics and training to local authorities.
Performing laboratory testing of viruses.
Starting a $5.5 million initiative to improve influenza surveillance in Asia.
Working together with WHO and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on safety testing of vaccine seed candidates and to develop additional vaccine virus seed candidates for influenza A (H5N1) and other subtypes of influenza A virus.
For more facts, see: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/facts.htm
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