Learn
more about pandemic preparedness here.
Is the possibility of a pandemic real?
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) defines a pandemic
as a global disease outbreak. Most of the media discussion
concerning a possible pandemic has focused on the flu (avian
flu in particular). The CDC classifies a flu pandemic as
an outbreak of a new influenza virus that humans have little
or no immunity to and that has no vaccine. The virus causes
serious illness and can spread, globally, very quickly.
The advent of the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus (also known
as the avian flu or bird flu mentioned
above) that has been contracted by humans in eastern Asia
and other countries has put many health organizations and
professionals on alert. The primary concern is that the
spread of the H5N1 virus (avian flu) has a great deal of
potential to become a pandemic because it is extremely
virulent, it is being spread by migratory
birds, it can be transmitted (in some cases) from
these birds to humans and it is constantly
evolving.
The CDC reports that the number of human cases involving
H5N1 (avian or bird flu) has been small. However the potential
for the virus to change into a more serious threat to humans
is real. LSS has created this resource center to generate
awareness of fundamental health issues, particularly in
the workplace and for first responders. For additional information
we've included articles, links and other
online resources that focus on pandemic preparedness.
Products from LSS:
Avian Flu Protection
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) has published personal protection guidelines on its
Web site regarding bird flu. The document, entitled “Guidance
for Protecting Workers Against Avian Flu,” provides
background information on the disease and offers recommendations
for employees or individuals who could potentially be exposed
to the disease.
According to OSHA’s guidelines, “Exposure
to infected poultry and their feces or dust contaminated
with feces has been associated with human infection; however
this is a rare occurrence.” OSHA advises that everyone
who has been in close contact with infected animals wash
their hands frequently. Proper hand washing consists of
washing with soap and water for a minimum of 15 to 20 seconds.
Further guidelines are given for those involved
in the culling, transporting or disposal of infected birds.
OSHA advises the use of protective clothing and gloves capable
of being disinfected or disposed, goggles, boots or protective
foot covers that can be disinfected or disposed, and respiratory
protection. The minimum form of respiratory protection OSHA
recommends is an N95, N99 or N100 disposable respirator.
It’s also recommended that anyone involved in handling
infected birds receive the current season’s influenza
vaccine.
Symptoms of bird flu in humans have ranged
from typical flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, sore
throat and muscle aches, to eye infections, pneumonia, severe
respiratory diseases and other severe and life-threatening
complications. Prescription medicines approved for human
flu viruses may work to prevent bird flu infection in humans,
but flu viruses have shown an ability to develop resistance
to drugs. There are currently no vaccines to protect humans
against the Asian virus, but efforts are being made to develop
them. Research studies to test just such a vaccine began
in April of 2005.
Articles, Links
and Info
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