Avian Flu

DATE: October 11, 2005

TO: Sauk County Media

FROM: Sauk County Emergency Management and Sauk County Health Department

REF: Avian Flu and what is the County Doing to Prepare

Article Contact: Michele Wolff, Sauk County Public Health - 355-4303

There has been a lot of information on the Avian Flu and how prepared the nation is for an outbreak. We would like to let residents know what Sauk County is doing to prepare and to give them some information on the flu itself. On September 27, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. 54 individuals from Lake Delton, Spring Green, Reedsburg, Baraboo, Sauk City and Prairie du Sac, the Ho Chunk Nation, Salvation Army, Yellow Thunder Amateur Radio and Sauk County representing some of the people who would be responsible for activating the County Mass Vaccination Plan for Sauk County residents in the event of an outbreak of avian flu, held a two hour tabletop exercise to work on the details involved. In November more parts of the plan will be tested and meetings will be held throughout the year with responders and others involved to outline their roles. That way, if the worst happens and the vaccine is available, Sauk County will be better prepared. Below are facts about the risks involved and steps you can take against this flu and others.

Avian influenza is an infection caused by viruses that occur naturally among birds. Usually, these viruses do no infect humans, but since 1997, some cases of human infection with avian viruses have been occurring. Most recently human cases have occurred in Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. These cases have been the result of direct transmission from poultry to humans. So far there has been no spread of this disease from human to human.

The current risk to Americans from avian influenza is low. There have been no human cases of avian influenza in the United States. Medical, laboratory, and public health personnel have been monitoring and watching residents locally and nationwide closely for signs and symptoms of avian influenza. Sauk County health care providers have been educated on how to detect, diagnose, and prevent the spread of this disease. Symptoms of avian influenza in humans range from typical flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat, headache, fatigue, and muscle aches ) to eye infections, pneumonia, severe respiratory diseases and other severe complications. The recent travel history to Asia of a sick individual is critical to the diagnosis of avian influenza. Currently there is no specific vaccine to protect against avian influenza. Vaccine development is under way and vaccine to protect against this strain of influenza began in April 2005. Two anti viral medications, Tamiflu and Relenza, may reduce the severity of the disease. However, these drugs are expensive and are in short supply. The Centers for Disease Control are stockpiling these drugs at this time for use in the case of an outbreak of avian influenza.

To protect yourself and others from avian influenza, colds, and other influenzas:

• Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough
• Wash your hands frequently. Use alcohol-based hand gels if soap and water is not available
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
• Stay home when you are sick
• Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food
• Get your annual and routine influenza vaccination