Avian Flu Facts:

• Avian flu is caused by influenza viruses that occur naturally among wild birds. Since the flu is a viral infection, antiviral medication may be used to treat and prevent infections from avian inflenza. Antibiotics are not effective for treating the influenza itself, however, they may be useful in treating secondary bacterial infections that can result from or occur with the flu.
• Most cases of avian influenza infection in humans have resulted from direct or close contact with infected birds or surfaces contaminated with secretions and excretions from infected birds. You cannot get avian influenza from properly handled and cooked poultry and eggs.
• Low pathogenic avian flu is common in birds and causes few problems in humans. Highly pathogenic H5N1 is deadly to domestic fowl, can be transmitted from birds to humans, and can be deadly to humans.
• The prescription medicines approved for human influenza viruses should work in treating avian influenza infection in humans. However, influenza viruses can become resistant to these drugs, so these medications may not always work.
• The seasonal influenza vaccine does not provide protection against avian influenza.
• On April 17, 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced its approval of the first vaccine to prevent human infection with one strain of the avian influenza (bird flu) H5N1 virus. The vaccine has been purchased by the federal government for the U.S. Strategic National Stockpile; it will be distributed by public-health officials if needed (see FDA Approves First U.S. Vaccine for Humans Against the Avian Influenza Virus H5N1). For information about other H5N1 and pandemic flu vaccine research activities visit Flu.gov - Vaccine Research.

Health information products (brochures, posters, etc.) on influenza are available online in the USAPHC Health Information Products eCatalog.

Preventing the Flu

Ways to prevent catching and spreading the flu include:

• Clean your hands often with soap and warm water or alcohol-based hand cleaners. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Use a tissue to cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough then put used tissue in the waste basket. If a tissue is not available, then sneeze or cough into the inside of your elbow, not your hand.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick and keep your distance or stay home if you are sick.
  

Resources - Avian Influenza Guidance, Recommendations and Policies

Government Resources

Clinical

• CDC - New Laboratory Assay for Diagnostic Testing of Avian Influenza A/H5 (Asian Lineage) 
• CDC - Interim Recommendations for Infection Control in Health-Care Facilities Caring for Patients with Known or Suspected Avian Influenza
• CDC - Interim Health Recommendations for Workers who Handle Human Remains After a Disaster 
• CDC - EID: Discrimination between Highly Pathogenic and Low Pathogenic H5 Avian Influenza A Viruses 
• HHS - HHS Pandemic Influenza Plan Supplement 5 Clinical Guidelines
• HHS - HHS Pandemic Influenza Plan Supplement 4 Infection Control
• HHS Interim Guidance on Planning for the Use of Surgical Masks and Respirators in Health Care Settings during an Influenza Pandemic
• OSHA - Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Guidance for Healthcare Workers and Healthcare Employers (2009) 

DoD

• TRICARE - Military Treatment Facility (MTF) Locator
• Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Guidance for Healthcare Workers and Healthcare Employers (2009) 
• Pandemic Influenza: Clinical and Public Health Guidelines for the MHS (June 2009) 
• Force Health Protection and Readiness - Pandemic Influenza Watchboard 

General/Family Members

• CDC - Health Updates on Avian Influenza
• CDC - Guidelines and Recommendations: Interim Guidance about Avian Influenza (H5N1) for U.S. Citizens Living Abroad 
• CDC - Recommendations for the Amount of Time Persons with Influenza-Like Illness Should be Away from Others
• CDC - Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Resources for Health Professionals
• CDC - Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Resources for Health Professionals 
• HHS - HHS Pandemic Influenza Plan
• CDC - EID: Prospects for Universal Influenza Virus Vaccine 
• Planning for Pandemic Influenza: Human Resources Information for Agencies and Departments (May 2009)
• TRICARE - Military Treatment Facility Locator 
• OSHA - Guidance for Protecting Employees Against Avian Flu
• OSHA - Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for an Influenza Pandemic 
• ReadyArmy.mil 

Additional Information on Avian Flu

• CDC - Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) 
• CDC - Avian Influenza Outbreaks 
• CDC - Traveler's Health 
• CDC - Questions and Answers about Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) and Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus 
• USDA - Avian Influenza (AI) 

Non-Government Resources

• CIDRAP - Avian Influenza: Latest News 
• WHO Global Atlas of Infectious Diseases  FluNet Statistics 
• The National Academies - Reusability of Facemasks During an Influenza Pandemic: Facing the Flu
• Management of Dead Bodies after Disasters: A Field Manual for First Responders (2009)  PAHO
• WHO - Avian influenza ("bird flu")  Media Center
• WHO - Avian influenza
• WHO - Collecting, preserving and shipping specimens for the diagnosis of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus infection. Guide for field operations 
• WHO - Confirmed Human Cases of Avian Influenza (H5N1) 
• World Organization for Animal Health - Avian Influenza

Sources: Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); Flu.gov; World Health Organization