A lot of news lately has touched on the threat of avian flu, commonly called bird flu, and a pandemic that would cascade across the United States as part of a statistical phenomenon, when in fact there is no foretelling of when an event will happen.

A pandemic influenza occurs when a new form of Influenza A virus emerges, for which there is little or no human immunity, and begins to cause serious illness before spreading easily between person-to-person worldwide.

Seasonal flu is transmitted through person-to-person contact and occurs annually, usually in winter from November through March in temperate climates.

Avian flu would be caused by bird-to-human transmission and is an infectious disease of birds caused by type A strains of the influenza virus. A pandemic flu can start when avian flu is transmitted person-to-person.

Currently close contact with infected poultry has been the primary source for human infection. Though rare, there have been isolated reports of human-to-human transmission of the virus.

Avian H5N1 influenza virus, which has mutated since 2002, is more dangerous and increases the risk of causing a pandemic disease. It was first recognized in 1997 when this virus infected 18 people in Hong Kong, causing six deaths.

While the very young, elderly and people with certain underlying health conditions are at increased risk for serious complications from seasonal flu, people of all ages would be affected by avian flu, and healthy people may be at risk of serious complications.

Characteristics and challenges of a pandemic include a rapid worldwide spread, health care system overload, an inadequate amount of medical supplies and economic and social disruption.

Most people have little or no immunity to a pandemic virus. Infection and illness rates soar, and a substantial percentage of the world’s population will require some form of medical care.

Vaccines to protect humans against avian H5N1 viruses are currently under development. Two of the best ways to prevent the spread of disease are through use of quarantine and isolation. Quarantine involves the separation and restriction of movement of people exposed to the virus, while with isolation, people or a group of people who are infected are separated from others who are not exposed.

Death rates in an influenza pandemic are high, largely determined by the following four factors: number of people who become infected; the virulence of the virus; the underlying characteristics and vulnerability of affected populations; and the effectiveness of pervasive measures. Medical supplies would become inadequate as the need for vaccine is likely to outstrip supply, and the need for antiviral drugs is also likely to be inadequate early in a pandemic. Past pandemics have spread globally in two and sometimes three waves.

A pandemic can quickly create shortages of hospital beds, ventilators and other supplies.

The economy can take a big hit during a pandemic with travel bans, closings of schools and businesses and cancellations of events, which could have a major impact on communities and citizens. Care for sick family members and fear of exposure can result in significant work absenteeism.

Pre-planning can help avert a catastrophe in terms of death and economic loss. The Whiteside County Bio-Terrorism Task Force has met regularly and has conducted several major drills during its five year history. Much work has gone into protecting the citizens of Whiteside County during a pandemic or terrorist attack.

For more information about the Task Force, contact the Whiteside County Health Department at (815) 626-2230.

Whiteside County Health Department