AVIAN/PANDEMIC INFLUENZA RESOURCES
presentation materials for download | request a speaker | avian/pandemic flu FAQ | stockpiling checklist

The Center for Biopreparedness Education has partnered with Nebraska Health and Human Services (NHHSS) to provide information on pandemic influenza preparedness.

The materials were prepared in order to ensure that a “one voice” consistent message be delivered across the state of Nebraska. Anyone who wishes to present on this topic can download the presentations and speaker's notes. However, if you alter the presentation in any way, please state that you, as the presenter have made these changes, and that your comments are not Nebraska's official voice nor do your comments represent the Center for Biopreparedness Education. The program includes:

• PowerPoint presentations on avian/pandemic influenza for presentation to three audience types:
        i. Laypersons
       ii. Providers with some medical knowledge
      iii. Clinician providers
• An avian/pandemic influenza speakers bureau

Presentation to be delivered to the Layperson audience: (updated as of  July 2007)

• Layperson PowerPoint presentation
• Layperson Speaker's notes in pdf format
• Layperson handouts that can be duplicated

Presentation to be delivered to the Layperson audience in Spanish: (updated as of  July 2007)

• Layperson PowerPoint presentation (slides in Spanish)
• Layperson handouts that can be duplicated (handouts in Spanish)

Presentation to be delivered to Health Care Workers (persons familiar with the healthcare field):  (updated as of  July 2007)

• Health care workers PowerPoint presentation
• Health care workers Speaker's notes in pdf format
• Health care workers handouts that can be duplicated

Presentation to be delivered to a Clinicians audience: (updated as of July 2007)

• Clinicians PowerPoint presentation
• Clinicians speakers notes in pdf format
• Clinicians handouts  that can be duplicated

If you use these presentations, please:
     1. Present the material in the provided format
     2. If you provide additional information, from your own knowledge or expertise, please so state to your audience
         that . . . . information/opinion is yours, and not official statements from NHHSS
     3. Provide the Center for Biopreparedness Education with a report on a presentation that has been given

If you are willing to be a presenter in your district or area, please complete the Speakers' Application form 

To request someone to present to your organization or group, please fill out a speaker request form and fax to 402-552-2769, or save the form as a document and send as an email attachment to the Center.   

Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT ARE THE BASIC FACTS ABOUT “BIRD” FLU AND A POSSIBLE PANDEMIC?

“Bird flu” is the common term for avian influenza.  There are many strains of bird flu viruses that cause  illness among  wild and domestic birds.  H5N1 is the strain currently causing a worldwide outbreak of bird flu.  This virus is highly contagious for birds, but not for humans, although over 200 people have become ill from the bird flu virus, and half have died. The “bird flu” in humans starts out like the ordinary flu – fever, muscle aches, headache and cough. Unlike regular flu which clears up in three to seven days, people with “bird flu” may develop a severe pneumonia with persistent fever and trouble breathing. To date, no cases of avian influenza A strain H5N1 have been reported in the United States. Situational updates on the spread of avian influenza can be accessed via http://www.pandemicflu.gov/.  

An epidemic affects many people at one time but is generally limited to a relatively small geographic area. Epidemics occur every year. A pandemic is a large, world-wide epidemic often with multiple waves of illness. They happen only occasionally and result in more severe illnesses and more deaths than usual.   Nobody knows how likely it is that a pandemic will occur. The last pandemic occurred in 1968 and some experts believe that we’re overdue for another one. However, the current influenza A strain H5N1 has not yet become highly contagious to humans – which is needed to have a pandemic.  

A pandemic would have a serious impact on all of us. Estimates vary, but up to 90 million people in the US could be infected. If that happened, between 865,000 and 9.9 million people would be hospitalized with 209,000 to 1.9 million deaths. Estimates indicate $71 to $166 billion would be lost, and there would be serious social and economic disruptions. More information about a pandemic and associated impacts can be accessed via http://www.pandemicflu.gov/.

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HOW DOES AVIAN FLU SPREAD IN HUMANS?

Most of the people who have acquired avian flu infection (in Asia) have had direct contact with sick birds.  If avian flu changes to be able to cause widespread person-to-person spread, a pandemic will occur.  In that case, influenza will spread through the air by coughing, sneezing or talking, like the influenza infections that occur every winter. The disease is also spread by contact with the virus on surfaces.  

The best way to protect yourself and others is to wash your hands frequently with soap and water; use an alcohol based waterless hand sanitizer; cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing then either wash your hands or use a hand sanitizer; avoid crowds; and stay home when you are sick. Household surfaces can be cleaned with a disinfectant (such as a 1:10 dilution of bleach). If you go out in public during a pandemic, you may want to have a regular surgical mask for some respiratory protection and a bottle of waterless hand washing agent. More information about staying healthy during a pandemic can be accessed via http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/tab3.html#healthy  

Eating chicken is safe. Wash your hands after handling raw foods and make sure all poultry and meat is cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Eggs should be cooked until yolks are firm. Casseroles and other dishes containing eggs should be cooked to 160 degrees. Wash your hands after handling raw foods and wipe down surfaces used to prepare raw foods like meats and poultry. More information about safe food handling can be accessed via  http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Fact_Sheets/Safe_Food_Handling_Fact_Sheets/index.asp#general

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WHAT ABOUT PREVENTION AND TREATMENT? 

Current vaccines do not protect against avian flu, however, it is important to get a regular flu shot every year, especially if you are over 65 or have underlying medical conditions. You should also have the pneumonia vaccine if you are in those same groups. This vaccine is only needed once or twice in a lifetime.  The flu shot is safe, even in pregnancy.   There is a live flu vaccine given in the nose, and recommended for people up to age 49.  It causes a mild form of flu, but protects from severe flu complications.  Scientists are working on a vaccine that protects against the H5N1 bird flu strain.

There are several medications available that have some benefit against the flu if given within the first 24-48 hours.  Two of them, zanamavir (Relenza) and oseltamivir (Tamiflu)  may  have some activity against the bird flu.  Since supplies are short, these medicines must be used carefully, and public health is working on plans for distribution during a pandemic. 

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The Federal government has developed priority lists to allocate distribution of limited supplies of vaccine should a pandemic occur. Those priority lists reflect the pandemic response goals of:

• limiting mortality and severe morbidity
• maintaining critical infrastructure and societal function
• diminishing economic impacts
• maintaining national security

 Priorities for vaccine and antiviral drug use will vary based on pandemic severity as well as the vaccine and drug supply. 

Nebraska’s pandemic flu vaccination goals include:

• Maintain the ability to provide quality health care, implement pandemic response activities and maintain vital community services.
• Protect persons at highest risk for influenza mortality.
• Decrease transmission of infection to those at highest risk for influenza mortality.
• Maintain other important community services.
• Protect the population at large

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WHAT’S THE GOVERNMENT DOING TO PREPARE? 

The National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza, issued by President Bush November 1, 2005, guides our nation's preparedness and response to an influenza pandemic, with the intent of:

• stopping, slowing or otherwise limiting the spread of a pandemic to the United States;
• limiting the domestic spread of a pandemic, and mitigating disease, suffering and death; and
• sustaining infrastructure and mitigating impact to the economy and the functioning of society.

The Strategy charges the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services with leading the federal pandemic preparedness.

Nebraska’s pandemic flu plan is a so-called “evergreen” document meaning that it is constantly being updated. Because prioritizations of scarce health resources like vaccine and anti-viral medicines is an emotionally charged and ethical issue in addition to being a complicated medical one, the governor of Nebraska formed a pandemic flu committee that provided input for recommendations to the governor.

 An overview of the Federal plan can be found here in English and Spanish: Implementation Plan Fact Sheet [En Español].  

A copy of Nebraska’s plan is available at http://www.hhs.state.ne.us/puh/epi/flu/pandemic/docs/State-Plan.pdf.  

For information about what is happening on the local level, contact your local Public Health Department:  http://www.hhs.state.ne.us/lhd/map.pdf

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WHAT CAN INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES DO TO PREPARE?

The threat of pandemic flu is real. This is something that would affect communities, businesses and families. However, preparedness isn’t only a government effort; it’s a community effort and a personal effort. Everyone needs to take part in preparedness planning.

Individuals should do some general preparation; including storing up 1-2 weeks supply of food and water in case there is a pandemic or a disaster.  Also, try to have some extra supplies of medication on hand, and a list of key phone numbers you might need in an emergency (your physician, your pharmacy, relatives, etc).  In addition to food, make sure your have some supplies of items like waterless hand washing agent, flashlights with batteries, a working radio, candles and matches.  You should have a list of all your medicines, including doses, any medication allergies you have If you are traveling to a part of the world where avian flu is found, you should check with an infectious disease or travel expert before the trip.

There are checklists available for businesses, communities, families, medical clinics and schools available at http://www.hhs.state.ne.us/pandemic/checklist.htm as well as a variety of resources available at http://www.pandemicflu.gov/. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has also developed a brochure that addresses business continuity planning. A PDF version is available at http://www.uschamber.com/issues/index/defense/pandemic_influenza.htm.  

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WHAT ABOUT PETS OR OTHER ANIMALS?

Currently, we have no evidence that this strain of bird flu is present in North America in either wild or domestic birds. However, the potential exists for wild migratory birds to carry the virus to North America, or for the virus to be introduced through the legal wild bird pet trade, shipment of goods from overseas, smuggling, or other means. The Service and other agencies of the U.S. government are taking steps to minimize the potential impact of the occurrence of this disease should it occur within the United States. 

While experts believe there is currently very little risk to people in the United States, it is always wise to practice good hygiene when handling or cleaning wild birds or poultry. Rest assured that it is safe to continue feeding the birds that come to feeders in your yard. If you find a sick or dead animal, contact http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/ or your local health department http://www.hhs.state.ne.us/lhd/map.pdf 

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