Infectious Disease/ Pandemic Flu
Awareness

Below you will find information about the three primary types of flu and why becoming infected with the avian bird flu gives us so much cause for concern.

The epidemiology of flu:

Seasonal flu: caused by influenza viruses that are similar to those already affecting people. This flu is transmitted person to person. Most people have some immunity, and a vaccine is available.

Epidemic: caused by subtypes that already exist among people. There usually is some level of preexisting immunity to strain variants. Affects or tends to affect a disproportionately large number of individuals within a population, community, or region at the same time.

Pandemic: caused by a new influenza virus that people have not been exposed to before. Large amounts of vaccine can not be made until experts know what the new virus looks like. Usually a global disease outbreak. The disease spreads easily person-to-person, causes serious illness, and can sweep across the country and / or world in a very short time.

There have been three acknowledged pandemics in the 20th century:

• 1918-19 "Spanish Flu" (H1N1). Spread quickly and many died within a few days of infection. The attack rate and mortality was highest among adults 20-50 years old. Killed more than 500,000 Americans (more than WWI).
• 1957-58 "Asian Flu" (H2N2)). Infection rates were highest among school children, young adults, and pregnant women. The elderly had the highest rates of death. A second wave developed in 1958. Approximately 70,000 deaths in the U.S.
• 1968-69 "Hong Kong Flu" (H3N2). First detected in Hong Kong in early 1968 and spread to the U.S. later that year. Those over age 65 were most likely to die. This virus had a resurgence in 1970 and 1972 and still circulates today. Approximately 34,000 deaths in the U.S.

We're due! Pandemics occur about every 10 to 40 years - the last pandemic was about 40 years ago. It is not a matter of whether it will occur; it is a matter of when!

Symptoms of seasonal or common flu

• Fever (usually higher than 100.5º Fahrenheit)
• Headache
• Extreme fatigue
• Dry cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle aches

Complications
Healthy adults are not usually at risk for serious complications (bacterial pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening of chronic medical conditions like congestive heart failure, asthma, or diabetes. Children may get sinus problems and ear infections). The very young, the elderly and those with certain underlying health conditions are at increased risk for serious complications.

How flu spreads
Flu viruses spread from person to person through coughing or sneezing by people with influenza. Sometimes people may become infected by touching something with flu virus germs on it and then touching their mouth or nose. Most healthy adults may pass the flu to someone else before knowing they are sick, since they are infectious beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five days after becoming sick.

In the United States, during an average year (Source: www.CDC.gov/flu):

• 5 to 20 percent of the populations gets the flu
• More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications
• About 36,000 people die

Avian "Bird" Flu
Avian flu is caused by influenza viruses that occur naturally among wild birds. The H5N1 variant, one strain of the bird flu, is deadly to domestic fowl and can be transmitted from birds to humans. The H5N1 flu in humans is currently found in much of Asia and has spread to Europe. There is no human immunity and no vaccine is available.

Avian H5N1 flu in humans is currently very limited and NOT a pandemic. However, it is uncertain whether the currently circulating H5N1 virus will lead to a global disease outbreak in humans. Currently, more than half of the humans who have sought health care due to the H5N1 avian flu have died.

The H5N1 virus has raised concerns about a potential human pandemic because:

• It is especially virulent,
• It is being spread by migratory birds,
• It can be transmitted from birds to mammals and in some limited circumstances to humans, and
• Like other influenza viruses, it continues to mutate.

How the Avian Flu Spreads
Close contact with infected poultry has been the primary source for human infection. There have been no confirmed cases of human to human transmission at this time.

Where in the World is the Avian Flu?
Find out "what in the world is going on" with pandemic flu. See the number of reported Cases of Avian Influenza A/(H5N1) and deaths per country.

Impact of a Pandemic
A pandemic may come in waves, each of which can last for six to eight weeks. State officials believe this may continue for up to 18 months.

In a severe pandemic everyday life is disrupted because so many people become seriously ill at the same time. Absenteeism attributable to illness, the need to care for ill family members, and fear of infection may reach 40 percent during the peak weeks of a community outbreak. The clinical disease attack rate will likely be 30 percent or higher in the overall population during the pandemic, with school-aged children at about 40% and working adults at 20%.

A Pandemic Could Have Staggering Consequences:

• Health care providers will be overwhelmed creating a shortage of hospital staff, beds, ventilators, and other supplies
• The need for vaccine may outstrip supply and the supply of antiviral drugs may be inadequate
• Difficult decisions will need to be made regarding who gets treatment, antiviral drugs, and vaccines
• Essential services will be affected (police, fire, hospital, ambulance)
• Work force may be depleted - certain public health measures (closing schools, quarantining household contacts of infected individuals, "snow days") are likely to increase rates of absenteeism
• Social distancing; cancellation of group events
• Interruption of services such as public transportation and food delivery
• Economic impact of having businesses closed
• High levels of illness and death

What if a pandemic occurs here?
Should a pandemic occur, the state and county public health departments will be responsible for issuing quarantine orders, directing facilities closure, providing critical information, designating key health-care facilities, and distributing anti-viral medications. This authority encompasses all private citizens, business, and campus operations, and the Colorado Springs campus will work closely with the El Paso County Public Health Department to comply with all guidance and recommendations.