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| Avian/Pandemic Influenza Information Page There has been a lot of information lately about influenza, pandemics and avian flu and you may have questions about what this means for you and your family. The World Health Organization, the United States Department of Health and Human Services, California Department of Health Services, and the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services along with countries throughout the world have been watching the avian flu and have emergency plans in place to deal with a pandemic. This website will provide you with some links to the latest information about influenza, pandemic and avian flu and about measures you can take to prepare yourself. DEFINITIONS
INFLUENZA: An illness caused by the influenza virus; common symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, tiredness, sore throat, and runny nose.
PANDEMIC: Global outbreak of human disease.
EPIDEMIC: Local outbreak of disease.
PANDEMIC INFLUENZA: A global outbreak with a strain of influenza that has not previously caused disease in humans (an avian type of influenza), and is easily transmitted from person to person.
SEASONAL INFLUENZA: Human Influenza that occurs every year in the winter; is caused by influenza viruses that have previously caused disease in humans. For more information on the difference between seasonal and pandemic, click here.
AVIAN (Bird) FLU:
A strain of influenza that predominantly infects birds. Some types may occasionally infect humans who have close exposure to birds.
INFLUENZA H5N1: The current strain of bird flu that is affecting numerous birds in Asia and spreading to other countries. This virus has caused some human infections, but the infection does not pass easily from person to person at this time.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT BIRD FLU
Should I worry about a bird flu pandemic? –Currently, there is no pandemic influenza, but experts predict another will occur. There were 3 pandemics in the last century, the last one in 1967-68. It is difficult to predict when the next pandemic will occur, so it is important for everyone to prepare for it, as you would for any other emergency (such as an earthquake). For more information on how to prepare, see "Related Resources".
Will H5N1 Cause the Next Flu Pandemic?
It is unknown at this time. Scientists are watching H5N1, because of its potential to cause a pandemic. However, the virus does not currently pass easily from person-to-person. The virus must mutate to easily pass from person-to-person and no one can say if this will happen.
Is there a vaccine against the bird flu H5N1? –A vaccine for H5N1 is under development, but is not currently available. The current seasonal flu vaccine does not protect against bird flu, but it does help prevent complications from the current strains of human influenza.
Should I ask my doctor for Tamiflu? –No; we don't know if this medication would be useful against a pandemic strain of influenza.
Where is H5N1 found in the world today?
Map of Nations with Confirmed Cases
Is it safe to eat eggs and poultry? –Yes; as long as eggs and poultry are adequately cooked, they are no danger to your health. To date, H5N1 has not been found in the U.S.
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I plan to travel to a country where there is H5N1; what precautions should I take?
Please visit the following page for more information. PandemicFlu.gov
What is the Health Department doing to prepare?
The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services(LB DHHS) has been working on preparations for pandemic influenza for almost two years. Our Pandemic Influenza Response Plan, which covers surveillance and epidemiology, laboratory response, limiting transmission, vaccinations and antivirals, community disease control and risk communications, is currently under revision. We have presented an overview of our plan to the City Manager, Department Heads, the City Council, Fire Chiefs, Long Beach Unified School District Board of Education and representatives from all Long Beach hospitals. We have held exercises to help prepare us, as well as participated in exercises sponsored by other agencies. We continue to work with our local hospitals, other city agencies and other partners to further our preparedness.
IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO THE COMMUNITY ABOUT SEASONAL INFLUENZA
 | Get your flu vaccine if indicated (human influenza causes 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths in the US each year; that's a lot more illness than the bird flu!)
If you're sick, stay home, cover your coughs or sneezes with tissues, and wash your hands frequently
To avoid flu, wash your hands frequently, stay away from sick people, and take care of yourself (adequate rest, food, etc.)
• •Wash your hands frequently, or use alcohol gel
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