Avian Influenza - H5N1
What is Avian Influenza
A Thai worker sprays disinfectant on chicken cages Tuesday, July 12, 2005, in the central province of Suphanburi, Thailand, 100 kilometers (60 miles) north of Bangkok.
PubMed - Avian influenza, last 30 days
Avian influenza refers to flu transferred among birds (Influenza A virus). Wild and domesticated birds carry the disease in their intestines and transfer these diseases through their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces. A particular subtype of influenza A, H5N1, has demonstrated the need for precaution.
At this point human infections have been low and those that were infected had physical contact from working with poultry. However, H5N1 threatens to mutate into a virus that will result in human-to-human cases. We must take preventative measures in order to prevent a pandemic.
Additional General Resourses:
University of Pittsburgh Avian Flu Response Plan and overview
Flu Wiki - The purpose of the Flu Wiki is to help local communities prepare for and perhaps cope with a possible influenza pandemic.
Webcasts
Is the Bird Flu Threat Still Real and Are We Prepared?
Watch it now >>
Speakers: Bruce Gellin, Director, National Vaccine Program Office, Office of Public Health and Science, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Michael T. Osterholm, Director, Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy; Professor, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota; Author, "Unprepared for a Pandemic" (Foreign Affairs, March/April 2007)
Bird Flu Maps
'Supermap' of Avian Flu
This GoogleEarth map creates a tree of the spread of infection from its source. It uses colors and symbols to represent different hosts of the virus. With this map, you can trace individual strains or species.
Perry-Castañeda Library
Map Collection
The University of Texas at Austin has a list of avian influenza maps on other Websites.
PandemicFlu.gov - Influenza Maps
Direct link to PandemicFlu's Influenza maps. "One-stop access to U.S. Government avian and pandemic flu information."
National Wildlife Health Center
"...advancing wildlife and ecosystem health for a better tomorrow."
Confirmed Cases - Human
World Health Organization - Chart
Stats of confirmed human cases.
Confirmed Cases - Animal
OIE - Chart
Stats of confirmed animal cases.
Pennsylvania
PA Pandemic Preparedness
"Action Pennsylvania is taking to address and prepare for a possible Influenza Pandemic."
United States
PandemicFlu.gov
"One-stop access to U.S. Government avian and pandemic flu information."
Homeland Security Council - Pandemic Influenza Strategy Plan
PDF of the Homeland Security Council's National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza - Implementation Plan.
World
World Health Organization - Avian Influenza
World Health Organization's Avian Influenza section featuring evolving situations and useful information.
News
Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy
University of Minnesota's CIDRAP provides a central listing of latest news topics.
AvianInfluenza.org
Provides information and the latest news.
Business & Policy
Center for Biosecurity
A bank of links to several Biosecurity issues.
PandemicFlu.gov - Economic Impact
A great link about the impact of a worldwide influenza pandemic on the global economy and agricultural impacts.
