Avian Flu/Influenza
Avian Influenza (H5N1) "Bird Flu"
November 19, 2009
All EAP programs are proceeding as scheduled, with the expectation that the current H5N1 situation will remain contained.
UCEAP closely monitors outbreaks of diseases around the world through CDC, WHO, the U.S. Department of State, and worldwide health agencies, in addition to host university, UC Study Centers, and host country resources. UCEAP works closely with the University of California Student Health Services and the Office of the President to provide current information to students, as conditions require.
A system has been developed by WHO to provide tracking information of A(H5N1) influenza specimens/viruses shared with WHO through the Global Influenza Surveillance Network.
At present, the CDC and WHO have not recommended avoiding travel to any of the countries affected by H5N1.
Travelers to areas affected by avian influenza in birds are not considered to be at elevated risk of infection unless direct and un-protected exposure to infected birds (including feathers, feces and under-cooked meat and egg products) occurs.
Information from the World Health Organization
- Situation in Egypt (9/24/09)
Advice for Travelers
WHO and CDC continue to recommend that travelers to areas experiencing outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 in poultry should avoid contact with live animal markets and poultry farms. Large amounts of the virus are known to be excreted in the droppings from infected birds. Populations in affected countries are advised to avoid contact with dead migratory birds or wild birds showing signs of disease.
Direct contact with infected poultry, or surfaces and objects contaminated by their droppings, is considered the main route of human infection. Exposure risk is considered highest during slaughter, defeathering, butchering, and preparation of poultry for cooking. There is no evidence that properly cooked poultry or poultry products can be a source of infection.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
The CDC Travel Health Precautions outline specific measures for travelers to take before, during, and after travel. Suggested actions include:
Before any international travel to an area affected by H5N1 avian influenza:
- Visit CDC's Travelers’ Health in Southeast Asia to educate yourself and others who may be traveling with you about any disease risks and CDC health recommendations for international travel in areas you plan to visit. For a list of affected areas and other information about avian influenza, see the CDC website.
- Be sure you are up to date with all your vaccinations, and see your doctor or health-care provider, ideally 4–6 weeks before travel, to get any additional vaccination medications or information you may need. Currently there is no inoculation or vaccination to prevent contracting H5N1 avian influenza.
- Assemble a travel health kit containing basic first aid and medical supplies. Be sure to include a thermometer and alcohol-based hand gel for hand hygiene. See the Travelers Health Kit in "Health Information for International Travel" for other suggested items.
- Identify in-country health-care resources in advance of your trip.
During travel to an affected area
- Read CDC's Guidance for U.S. Citizens Living Abroad.
- Avoid all direct contact with poultry, including touching well-appearing, sick, or dead chickens and ducks. Avoid places such as poultry farms and bird markets where live poultry are raised or kept, and avoid handling surfaces contaminated with poultry feces or secretions.
- As with other infectious illnesses, one of the most important preventive practices is careful and frequent hand washing. Cleaning your hands often with soap and water removes potentially infectious material from your skin and helps prevent disease transmission. Waterless alcohol-based hand gels may be used when soap is not available and hands are not visibly soiled.
- Influenza viruses are destroyed by heat; therefore, as a precaution, all foods from poultry, including eggs and poultry blood, should be thoroughly cooked.
- If you become sick with symptoms such as a fever, difficulty breathing, or cough, or with any illness that requires prompt medical attention, the Study Center staff can assist you in locating medical services and informing your family as requested.
After your return
- Monitor your health for 10 days.
- If you become ill with fever and develop a cough or difficulty breathing or if you develop any illness during this 10-day period, consult a health-care provider. Before you visit a health-care setting, tell the provider the following:
1) your symptoms
2) where you traveled
3) if you have had direct contact with poultry.
This way, he or she can be aware that you have traveled to an area reporting avian influenza.
For more information about H5N1 infections in humans, visit the World Health Organization avian influenza website and the CDC avian influenza site.
The CDC’s health recommendations for international travel to Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, are provided on the Travelers’ Health website.
Web Resources
University of California
- UC Systemwide: UC campuses work to combat avian flu
- Berkeley
- Davis
- Irvine
- Riverside
- San Diego
- Santa Cruz
U.S. Government Agencies
- Califorrnia Department of Health Services
- Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
- Checklist for College and University Pandemic Preparedness
- Department of State
- PandemicFlu.gov
International Organizations
- Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO)
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- World Organisation for Animal Health:
Foreign National Agencies
Australia
Canada
China
European Union
Hong Kong
Ireland
New Zealand
Singapore
United Kingdom
EAP Partner Institutions
Country Preparedness Plans
January 8, 2006
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended that all countries undertake urgent action to prepare for a pandemic. Advice on doing so is contained in the recently revised WHO global influenza preparedness plan (PDF) and a new WHO checklist for influenza pandemic preparedness planning (PDF).
WHO recommends that countries should stockpile enough anti-viral drugs to cope with a pandemic, which it estimates would affect 25% of the population, but warns that developing countries in particular are likely to fall well short.
Australia
Brazil
Canada
Chile
China
Costa Rica
France
- Plan Gouvernemental de Lutte Contre la Pandémie Grippale D’origine Aviaire
- Ministère de la Santé et des Solidarités
- FluWiki France
Germany
Hong Kong
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Mexico
Netherlands
New Zealand
Russia
Contingency Plan
Avian flu plan adopted in August after first cases in Siberia. Protective suits and training in recognizing symptoms recommended for people working with birds. In future there will be no chicken farm workers over 60, or with chronic cardiac and lung conditions.
Vaccine research
Research into vaccines is taking place, but details are a secret under Russian laws.
Anti-viral stocks
Sufficient stocks for each of its 150 million citizens. Drugs for treating people against ordinary flu are also being stockpiled.
Other information
Only trained doctors and biologists may work with birds showing avian flu symptoms. They must wear full protection suits. Ordinary people are discouraged from approaching places where there has been bird flu.
Singapore
South Africa
Spain
Taiwan
Thailand
Turkey
United Kingdom
United States
Vietnam
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