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Multnomah County Health Department Avian and Pandemic Influenza Update Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce November 15th, 2006 Gary Oxman, MD, MPH Multnomah County Health Officer (503) 988-3663 ext. 22640 [email protected] MHCD 11.06 Goals of Discussion Provide background on avian flu and pandemic influenza Provide information on Multnomah County’s Pan Flu preparedness activities Answer questions/address concerns Discuss opportunities for partnering with businesses to prepare MHCD 11.06 Background MHCD 11.06 Seasonal Influenza MHCD 11.06 Definitions Seasonal Influenza Contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses 34,000 people in the US die every year from seasonal influenza Can infect 10-20% of U.S. population (higher rates in children) There is a vaccine every year Good hygiene – washing hands, covering your cough, and staying home when ill can help prevent the spread of influenza MHCD 11.06 Pandemic Influenza MHCD 11.06 Definitions Pandemic Influenza World-wide epidemic of flu Results from a new strain of flu that spreads around the world, infecting many people at once Humans would have little or no resistance to a new strain of influenza Varies in severity (1918, 1957-58, 1968-69) There will be no vaccine for at least 6 months into a pandemic Antiviral drugs will have a limited role MHCD 11.06 Avian Influenza MHCD 11.06 Definitions Avian Influenza (“bird flu” or H5N1) Influenza virus infection among birds Commonly carried by wild birds and can spread to domestic birds (chickens, ducks) Risk for people with contact with infected birds H5N1 is a candidate to cause a pandemic Testing among birds is underway in Oregon, Alaska and other states No (HP) H5N1 has been detected in the U.S. MHCD 11.06 Current Situation – November 2006 The world is not experiencing an influenza pandemic H5N1 is widely distributed around the world in birds There is no H5N1 bird flu in the US, but it is expected to arrive at some point Bird flu is rarely spread from person to person If this changes, there is a potential for a serious pandemic MHCD 11.06 Preparedness & Response MHCD 11.06 Key Public Health Strategies - 2006 Disease surveillance Emergency response exercises Refining MCHD emergency response plan Increasing public information and community education and engagement Increasing hospital capacity Increasing ability to deliver medications and vaccinations MHCD 11.06 Key Public Health Strategies - 2006 Response to a pandemic will rest largely on individual and community-level prevention and intervention activities The health and community impacts of a pandemic cannot be completely avoided Strategic goals for pandemic response an intact community minimizing health, social and economic impacts MHCD 11.06 Key Public Health Strategies - 2006 Individual-level interventions Practice good hygiene (cover your cough – “respiratory hygiene”, wash your hands) Act to protect others (stay home when you’re sick) Use medical prevention and treatment services appropriately These interventions will require: Community understanding and support Effective leadership Effective messaging MHCD 11.06 Key Public Health Strategies - 2006 Community-level interventions Routine patient isolation Focused contact notification/management Quarantine of small groups Cancellation of specific events Closure of specific facilities Community-wide activity slow downs (“stay at home days”) MHCD 11.06 Key Public Health Strategies - 2006 Community-level interventions - continued Broad closures of businesses, schools, events, and transportation Strict community-wide quarantine These interventions will require: Effective governmental leadership Informed decision-making Broad-based community understanding and support (business, community members & leaders, various agencies) MHCD 11.06 Community Preparedness Resources Multnomah County Health Department – www.mchealth.org – Up to date info by phone #503-988-4454 – Panflu engagement, Jessica Guernsey Camargo, #503988-3030 ext. 25698, [email protected] – Business liaison, Carol Turner, [email protected] Oregon Department of Human Services – http://www.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/preparedness/ U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services – www.pandemicflu.gov MHCD 11.06 Questions/Discussion MHCD 11.06