Avian Influenza (Bird Flu):
Frequently Asked Questions
What is bird flu?
Influenza viruses that infect birds are called avian influenza viruses. These
viruses don't usually infect humans. A relatively small number of people in
East Asia have gotten sick with a particular avian flu strain (called H5N1).
This virus has not shown transmission from one human to another.
What is a pandemic?
A pandemic is an outbreak of an illness affecting a large fraction of the
people in a given region, country, or the world as a whole.
Is there a vaccine for bird flu?
Currently there is no vaccine for humans effective against the avian flu virus
seen in Asia. The regular yearly flu vaccine will offer no protection against
the bird flu. However, vaccine development efforts are under way. When an avian
flu vaccine becomes available for general use, we will offer it to our
patients.
Should I stock up on antiviral medications, flu drugs, like
Tamiflu?
No. There are a few reasons why having Tamiflu available in your home is not a
good idea.
·
It's not clear whether Tamiflu is effective
against the current strain of the avian flu. In addition, flu viruses are
constantly changing so that if there is ever an outbreak of bird flu in the US,
Tamiflu may not be effective against that strain.
·
Taking an antiviral medication such as
Tamiflu if not necessary may cause the virus to develop resistance to the
medication. In that case, Tamiflu may become ineffective against bird flu and
against the ordinary flu when needed most, during an outbreak.
·
Stocking up on Tamiflu ‘just in case’ may
create a situation where those who truly need it may not be able to get it.
·
If you store Tamiflu at home for an extended
period, it may expire before you use it.
·
You won't know when you need Tamiflu. Many
different viruses cause flu-like illnesses, and without testing no one can know
if an illness is flu, or whether it's bird flu or regular flu. Tamiflu should
only be taken if a physician has diagnosed your illness.
·
Taking unnecessary medications increases your
risk of possible side effects and allergic reactions.
·
Tamiflu is not a vaccine; it can't protect
you against flu in the future if you take it now. It is only effective while
you are taking it.
·
Most importantly, we don’t know if there will
ever be an outbreak of avian flu in the U.S.
What can I do to prepare for a possible outbreak of bird flu
in the U.S.?
Currently, the risk of an avian flu outbreak in the U.S. is low. You are more
likely to come down with the regular flu.
What do I do if I'm travelling to East Asia?
At this point, neither the CDC nor the World Health Organization is
recommending Tamiflu for travelers. In addition to the precautions above below,
staying away from live poultry and poultry farms are recommended. If you become
ill with fever or flu-like symptoms while away or within 10 days of returning
home, seek medical care. Make sure you tell your health care provider about
your travel.
What should I do about vaccination against regular flu?
The risks of regular flu haven't disappeared this year, just because bird flu
is in the news. For people at high risk of complications from the flu (people
more than 50 years old, children between 6 and 23 months of age, pregnant
women, and people with certain chronic medical conditions), this year's flu
vaccine is still strongly recommended. We don't anticipate any shortage of the
vaccine. The CDC has published data that every year in the U.S., on average:
·
5% to 20% of the population gets the regular
flu;
·
more than 200,000 people are hospitalized
from flu complications, and;
·
about 36,000 people die from flu.
Where can I
find more information on avian influenza?
Go to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health http://www.mass.gov/dph/cdc/epii/flu/flu1.htm
Go to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention’s http://www.cdc.gov/flu/ and http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/index.htm