LAWRENCE-DOUGLAS COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

200 Maine, Suite B

Lawrence, Kansas 66044-1357

Office:  785/843-3060       Fax:  785/843-3161

Clinic:  785/843-0721        Fax:  785/843-2930

Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department

Report on Pandemic/Avian Flu

What are the issues related to pandemic flu, and Avian Flu in particular?

Pandemic influenza is a worldwide outbreak of a new or unusual strain for which the population has little or no immunity.  Pandemic flu is more of a concern at this time because health officials believe a strain of avian (bird) flu virus, found in parts of Asia and Indonesia and known as H5N1, could mutate to easily spread among people, causing the next pandemic influenza.

To date, 116 people in Asia and Indonesia have been infected with the avian flu (H5N1) through close contact with chickens and other live poultry, resulting in 60 deaths.  As of yet, the virus has not been known to spread person-to-person. 

Because the exact characteristics of a virus that could cause pandemic influenza are not yet known, a specific vaccine for it would have to be developed after the virus emerges.  It could take 6 to 8 months to develop such a vaccine.  An experimental vaccine for the H5N1 virus might provide limited immunity and is being tested.

The H5N1 virus has not been found in poultry or humans in the U.S.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are actively monitoring the situation in Asia and Indonesia.

What is the public health response to pandemic influenza?

On Monday, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) released the Kansas Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Plan, developed with guidance from the CDC and WHO.  This plan is the culmination of several years of work.   

Response to pandemic influenza will be undertaken in partnership with local, state and federal agencies.  This comprehensive approach will include preparedness, prevention, disease monitoring, information dissemination, collaboration with federal, state and local partners, distribution of medication, and mass healthcare.

The local public health response to a widespread influenza outbreak is an extension of what we already do on a daily basis related to disease surveillance and control measures to contain the spread of disease.  The Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department monitors disease alerts from CDC and KDHE as well as local reports of unusual or new disease symptoms.  The Health Department investigates all reportable disease reports to determine the source of the infection and identify other individuals at-risk for the disease due to exposure.  Individuals are advised of actions they can take to protect themselves, including vaccination or prophylaxis.      

In the event of pandemic flu, once vaccine or other medications become available, the Health Department would have the responsibility of planning, organizing and mobilizing mass vaccination clinic sites where vaccines or antivirals would be administered to the Douglas County population. 

Special actions may be called for during an influenza pandemic, such as limiting public activities that increase the likelihood of exposure and asking people to isolate themselves if they are ill.  While the use of isolation and quarantine is regarded as extraordinary measures, they might be considered by public health officials to stop further spread. 

What has the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department been doing to prepare for pandemic flu?

• Established the Douglas County Public Health Emergency Task Force.  This group has been meeting since fall of 2001.  The Health Department has established good working relationships with our response partners.

• Prepared a public health emergency preparedness and response plan for Douglas County.  The Health Department continues to modify and update this plan as new guidance is received from KDHE.

• Prepared standard operating guidelines (SOGs) for running a mass dispensing clinic.

• Developed Douglas County Medical Reserve Corps to assist with surge capacity needed for disease surveillance and mass dispensing.  

• Practiced local mass dispensing plan of vaccine/prophylaxis through last year’s Flu-X at Free State High School and Allen Fieldhouse.  On October 18 we will practice at the Douglas County Fairgrounds.  Such exercises help us to learn what we do well and identify areas where we need to improve. 

• Participated with other Douglas County response agencies in a tabletop exercise focused on pandemic flu in April 2005.

• Currently meeting with Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Lawrence-Douglas County Fire and Medical and local physician to plan for community medical surge needs.

• Recently met with other local response partners and in a short period of time planned for the arrival of 250 or more evacuees from Gulf States after Hurricane Katrina.  The successful planning of this effort is indicative of the strong working relationships among response agencies.

• Continue to encourage the public to receive influenza and pneumonia vaccinations as indicated.  Pneumonia vaccination of high risk individuals helps prevent secondary bacterial infections that often contribute to influenza-related deaths.

What is the connection between preparing for an influenza pandemic and this year’s flu season?

Public health officials stress the importance of routine annual influenza vaccination as a strategy to prepare the public for a possible influenza pandemic.  Currently, between 20,000 and 30,000 individuals die annually from complications of the flu.  Increasing public confidence in flu vaccination will assist in the fight against a new virus.

Every year, the public is asked to do their part to protect themselves and others during the influenza season.  These basic public health measures can help contain the spread of influenza: 

• Wash your hands, often and thoroughly  
• Stay healthy by getting rest, exercising and eating right
• Cover you cough
• Stay home when feeling ill including keeping ill children home from school

These measures would be extremely important during a pandemic.