Pandemic Flu Rich Lobdell High Plains Power

Influenza Seasonal flu Human flu Respiratory illness Transmitted from person to person Most people have some immunity Vaccines are available Swine flu has a type H1N1 but is totally different from Human H1N1. 1918 flu has been revived from corpses frozen in the tundra of Alaska. High Plains Power

Influenza Avian flu Bird flu or AI Caused by naturally occurring viruses Transmitted between birds May be transmitted to humans H5N1 virus is highly pathogenic Few cases of transmission from bird to human No human immunity No vaccine available High Plains Power

Influenza Pandemic flu Virulent human flu Transmitted from human to human No natural immunity disease spreads quickly and easily from person to person No vaccine available Currently no pandemic flu Pandemic – an epidemic that occurs over a large geographic area, in this case, the entire world, and effects an exceptionally high proportion of the population. Virulent – a disease that is able to overcome the bodies natural defenses rapidly with severe consequences for health High Plains Power

Stomach Flu Misnomer – Actually called norovirus Headache Body ache Low grade fever Vomiting Diarrhea Common and highly contagious Often the culprit on cruise ships High Plains Power

Pathogen Any agent that can cause disease Bacterium Virus Fungi Parasites Prions High Pathogenic Avian Influenza – HPAI Cytokine storm High Plains Power

H5N1 Greatest concern for WHO and CDC Resulting from close contact with poultry Extremely virulent High mortality rate Has not mutated to human to human transmission Not necessarily the next pandemic High Plains Power

Countries Affected Total cases deaths %fatal Azerbaijan 8 5 63 Cambodia 7 7 100 Egypt 34 14 41 Indonesia 96 76 79 Thailand 25 17 68 Viet Nam 93 42 45 Worldwide 306 185 60 High Plains Power

The Great Pandemic of 1918 In Wyoming Sheridan - emergency hospital set up just for flu victims Thermopolis – Catholic priest traveled long distance to care for his flock – returned after a few days to find people already dead and buried Casper – church services cancelled – funerals held in open air – face masks required – number of people in stores was limited Thousands affected – at least 800 died High Plains Power

Worldwide Pandemic of 1918 Estimates of deaths range from 50 to 100 million Entire villages in Alaska and South Africa wiped out Over ½ million people died in the US More died in two years of the flu pandemic than have perished in 25 years of HIV 2.5 to 5% of world population perished High Plains Power

Home Preparation Two week supply of drinking water Ready to eat canned foods Peanut butter Granola Dried fruit Canned juices Protein bars Fruit bars High Plains Power

Medical Supplies Keep extra prescription drugs on hand Soap and wash water – alcohol hand wash Fever medicines – acetaminophen –ibuprofen Anti-diarrheal medicine Fluids with electrolytes High Plains Power

Emergency Supplies Flashlights Batteries Portable radio Manual can opener Garbage bags Tissues, toilet paper, diapers High Plains Power

Limit the spread of infection Seek vaccinations Wash hands frequently with soap and water Cover coughs and sneezes Try to maintain distance Stay home if you are sick Teach children these habits by your example High Plains Power

Limiting infection on the job Immunization Wash hands regularly and often Cover your mouth Maintain distance from co-workers and customers Healthy eating habits Adequate sleep Physical activity If you are sick – stay home High Plains Power

In the event of Pandemic Flu Extraordinary Measures No hand-shaking or social hugging Use of facemasks Alcohol based hand-cleaner at each work-station Clorox-wipes for work surfaces Tissues and trash receptacles readily available High Plains Power

More Extraordinary Measures Enforce sick time with mandatory minimum recovery time Close office to customers Limit amount of outside work Promptly sequester persons with symptoms Arrange work schedules to accommodate absenteeism for sick employees or employees that must care for sick family members High Plains Power

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