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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