Transcript Slide 1
What is my government doing about it?
The Guam Department of Agriculture is aligned with the federal
government and with the other agencies in the Government of Guam.
A cohesive plan exists to address the current threat caused by
zoonotic avian influenza and the potential threat of pandemic avian
influenza. But it is important to take responsibility for much of your
own defense against both the current bird flu and the potential of
pandemic influenza.
AVIAN INFLUENZA
2006
What should I do to prepare myself and my family for a potential bird flu
pandemic?
Perhaps the most important thing is to remain informed. At this point
no one knows what the pandemic will be like if it comes to Guam.
Some experts believe that once started the pandemic will sweep
around the world in about three months. It is unlikely that there will
be effective vaccine for the first six months, so preventing exposure
to whatever extent possible seems prudent. But we depend on each
other for food, energy, medical care, everything. Most filters will not
protect you completely from exposure, but may help. Michael Leavitt,
the US Secretary of Health and Human Services advises people to
prepare themselves to the extent possible. The national and even
local governments may be overwhelmed. School, transportation, and
social services may be disrupted for weeks or months. It may not be
possible to work, and supplies and distribution of essentials may be
compromised. He recommends storing a supply of food and water.
It probably makes more sense for the people of Guam who are
accustomed to going weeks without tap water and electricity. But the
pandemic flu could come in waves and each wave could last for
months. He recommends storing foods that are easy to prepare and
maintaining a supply of essential nonprescription drugs. And
remember that this is worst case planning. The bird flu pandemic of
1918 was that bad, but the pandemics of 1957 and 1968 were not
much worse than regular flu.
For more information contact the Guam Department of Agriculture
Worldwide Web references:
www.pandemicflu.gov
www.cdc.gov/flu
www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/
Guam Department of Agriculture
163 Dairy Road, Mangilao
734-3942
What is the difference between “bird flu” and avian influenza? There is no
difference.
What is a “pandemic” and has one ever visited Guam? An epidemic is a
disease that strikes a large number of people in a specific locale or
region. A pandemic reaches around the world. There were only three
bird flu pandemics in the 20th Century, and all visited Guam.
Is there a difference between the bird flu that people are dying from now and
the pandemic bird flu? There is a huge difference. The current bird flu
has infected roughly 200 people around the world over the last two
years. Most became ill working closely with infected birds, and it was
almost impossible to spread to other people. But someday a person
with normal human influenza may also contract bird flu. A “genetic reassortment” may occur where bird virus and human flu virus mix and
make a new virus with traits of both parent viruses. It may spread easily
between people like human flu and reach every corner of the earth, but
with far deadlier consequences. A pandemic. It happened in 1918 and
killed at least 40 million people around the world in a little over one year.
Has bird flu come to Guam yet? No, and with some preparation perhaps it
will not. Guam is part of a migratory bird flyway that shares nations
were H5N1 bird flu is common. We also have many wild chickens who
share the resting grounds visited by those migrating birds. These
chickens mingle with backyard chickens and fighting birds who could
share the disease with their owners.
What are my risks of contracting influenza from a bird on Guam? Those risks
are very small unless you have close contact with birds infected with
avian influenza.. This disease does NOT transmit easily to people. But
if the pandemic virus is developed then we can all forget about the birds.
Infected people will then be the source of disease. It is very important
for everyone to get an annual influenza vaccination, especially people
who work closely with poultry. While the vaccine will not prevent bird
flu, it may prevent the re-assortment between bird and human influenza
viruses that can initiate the pandemic. If you have chickens, keeping
them penned and isolated from wild chickens could protect your birds
from avian influenza, and protect you too.
What should I do if I find a dead bird? Birds die of many causes, and so far
none of the birds who have died on Guam have died from influenza.
Almost all wild birds are very resistant to bird flu. Chickens and
domestic ducks are very susceptible to the disease. Usually more than
90% of the exposed chickens will sicken and die, and usually in less
than 48 hours. A single dead bird should be handled like any other
dead animal. Use a shovel to dig a hole, move and bury the carcass
with the shovel, avoid breathing any dust or vapors from the carcass,
and wash the shovel with a garden hose when done. If you should see
many dead and dying chickens, then please contact the Guam
Department of Agriculture immediately.
Is it still safe to eat chicken? Yes. The virus does not survive cooking
temperatures. It has always been important to fully cook chicken, and it
still is. Consumers need to avoid eating any “pink” chicken, and eggs
should be fully cooked too. Raw chicken and the liquids that leak from it
are potentially very dangerous. It is important to clean thoroughly
utensils, hands, and all surfaces that have been in contact with raw
chicken. Preparing salads on a cutting board that was used to cut up
raw chicken is an important source of serious food borne illness.
Can other kinds of animals suffer from bird flu? It is possible, but unlikely.
Most mammals are resistant to bird flu. Pigs and cats and other animals
have contracted bird flu, but only very rarely, and none have
successfully spread the infection to humans.