Health Information

Respiratory Health

Avian / Pandemic Influenza Information

Last updated: October 13, 2008

Although there is currently no pandemic influenza, Marshfield Clinic has a pandemic plan and guidelines in place should an avian influenza or pandemic influenza outbreak occur.

In addition, Marshfield Clinic maintains communication with federal, state and local governments to implement updates to the pandemic plan as needed.

About Pandemic Flu

Pandemic flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is "flu that causes a global outbreak, or pandemic, of serious illness that spreads easily from person to person." There is currently no pandemic influenza, but many scientists believe that a pandemic is inevitable.

About Avian Flu (Bird Flu)

Avian influenza, or "bird flu", is an infection caused by Influenza A virus, found mostly in wild birds. Avian influenza is very contagious among birds, and can be especially harmful to domestic birds, such as chickens.

Avian influenza is spread when a susceptible bird comes into contact with the secretions or excretions (such as saliva or feces) from an infected bird.

Although the risk of avian influenza infection in humans is low, several cases of avian influenza infection have been reported worldwide since 1997. Most of these cases are a result of human contact with infected poultry or surfaces contaminated by secretions or excretions from birds infected with avian flu. The spread of avian influenza from person to person is very rare, and has not been observed to continue beyond one person.

Symptoms of avian influenza may include:

• Typical influenza symptoms, such as fever, sore throat, cough, and muscle aches
• Diarrhea
• Pneumonia
• Acute respiratory distress

How to prevent the spread of avian flu

You can take several precautions to help limit the spread of avian or pandemic influenza:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Stay home if you are sick
• Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. It is preferable you wear a surgical or isolation mask when you are out in public.
• Clean your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth

How can avian influenza be treated?

Because avian influenza viruses do not typically infect humans, most people have little or no natural immune protection. Studies have suggested that prescription medicines approved for human flu viruses could help prevent avian influenza infection in humans. However, avian influenza viruses may become resistant to these drugs, limiting their usefulness.

Although there are no avian flu vaccines available to the public at the present time, several pharmaceutical companies are developing vaccines to prevent the spread of avian influenza.

How to prepare for a potential avian / pandemic influenza outbreak

A pandemic outbreak, should one occur, could potentially be disruptive. Marshfield Clinic recommends that you prepare a plan for yourself and your family. As you plan, take into consideration potential disruptions to social services, business, schools, and transportation.

The U.S. Government has a number of excellent resources available to help you prepare your plan. Visit www.pandemicflu.gov for more information.