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Flu pandemic

Flu terms

Seasonal (or common) flu is a respiratory illness that can be transmitted person to person. Most people have some immunity, and a vaccine is available.

Avian (or bird) flu is caused by influenza viruses that occur naturally among wild birds. The H5N1 variant is deadly to domestic fowl and can be transmitted from birds to humans. There is no human immunity and no vaccine is available.

Pandemic flu is virulent human flu that causes a global outbreak, or pandemic, of serious illness. Because there is little natural immunity, the disease can spread easily from person to person. Currently, there is no pandemic flu.

Source: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

A Flu pandemic or global outbreak has captured a great deal of attention lately. Many experts believe a global influenza pandemic is likely to occur someday, but no one is sure when it will happen. It is important to understand what communities are doing and what you should do to protect yourself during a pandemic crisis.

Some of you may remember the "Asian flu" outbreak during the late 1950's or more recently "Hong Kong flu" in 1968. These two influenza events ranged from severe, with loss of life to a mild flu pandemic, with only flu like symptoms.

If an epidemic/pandemic does occur, we may experience temporary closing of schools and businesses, cancellation of events, possible disruption of normal services such as utilities and possible shortages.

How can you prepare? The fastest and easiest way to learn what to do is by visiting the Web sites listed below or by calling the Butler County or Ohio health departments:

Butler County Health Department
301 S. Third Street
Hamilton, OH 45011
Phone: 863-1770
www.butlercountyohio.org/Health

Ohio Department of Health
246 North High Street
P.O. Box 118
Columbus, Ohio 43216
Phone: 614-466-3543
E-mail: BIDC@odh.ohio.gov

Helpful Web sites

For general information
www.pandemicflu.gov
www.cdc.gov
www.butlercountyohio.org/Health/
www.ohiopandemicflu.gov

For personal/family preparedness
www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/pdf/Individuals.pdf

For business preparedness
www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/pdf/businesschecklist.pdf

For school preparedness
Childcare/Preschool - www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/pdf/child_care.pdf
K-12 - www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/pdf/schoolchecklist.pdf
Colleges & Universities - ww.pandemicflu.gov/plan/pdf/colleges_universities.pdf

For healthcare providers
www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/pdf/medofficesclinics.pdf

Last updated: 6/14/2007