Bird Flu Update January 2007 -

The Facts in Howard County

• There are currently no cases of bird flu (also known as H5N1) among people in North America.

• If and when bird flu does appear in North American birds or wildlife, this will not signal the start of a human pandemic.

• For a pandemic to occur, the current bird flu virus must be able to quickly and efficiently spread from person to person.

• Efficient person to person spread has not been documented in the current bird flu outbreak.

While there have been approximately 200 cases of human infection with the H5N1 virus in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, these people were likely infected through direct contact with infected birds. Scientists do not know if or when the current bird flu will mutate and be able to spread from person to person easily and efficiently. However, researchers do agree that a pandemic is likely to occur at some point in the future and that early preparations and planning will be the key to reducing the number of deaths caused by this event and the social and economic disruption that are also likely to result.

As directed by the Code of Maryland Regulation, the Howard County Health Department is taking the lead role in planning for and responding to an influenza pandemic. The goal of the Department’s local pandemic planning and response is to minimize the health, social and economic consequences of an influenza pandemic in Howard County. To achieve this, the Health Department is working closely with local, state and federal government partners, as well as gaining input from local community groups and non-government agencies to create a pandemic response plan.

To learn more about this effort, as well as what you can do to protect yourself and your family, visit the many links on our website which provide valuable information and resources.

If you still have questions, please send them to: askhealth@howardcountymd.gov

Pandemic Influenza and the Avian Flu

Pandemic Influenza - What is it really?

Pandemic influenza is a worldwide outbreak of disease that occurs when a new influenza A virus, to which people have little or no immunity, appears in humans and then spreads easily from person to person. The symptoms of such a virus would probably be similar to those of seasonal influenza, but the duration and/or severity of the symptoms might be different.

How are Seasonal, Avian and Pandemic Influenza different?
Click here for a brief description of each.

Cold or Influenza?
Compare symptoms of each with this guide.

Health and Prevention Tips
A link to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on Good Health Habits and how to prevent the Speading of Germs.

HIGHLIGHTS

What is Maryland doing?(coming soon

National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza

CDC Pandemic Influenza Update

Do you still have questions about pandemic influenza?

Send your questions to: askhealth@howardcountymd.gov