California Department of Aging (CDA) Presentation on Disaster Preparedness and Avian/Pandemic Awareness March 23, 2006 By: Damon Nelson, Aging Program Analyst II Prepared For: California Association of Area Agencies on Aging (C4A) Materials From: World Health Organizations, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Pandemicflu.gov, and California Office of Emergency Services

ndemic10things/en/index.html Pandemic Influenza is different from Avian Influenza Avian Influenza refers to a large group of different viruses that primarily affect birds. Majority of these do not infect humans. Pandemic Influenza happens when a new virus emerges that has not previously circulated in humans. Avian H5N1 is a strain with pandemic potential. If it adapts it will not longer be a bird virus- it will be a human influenza.

ndemic10things/en/index.html Pandemic A pandemic occurs when a new influenza virus mutates and starts spreading easily via coughing and sneezing. Because the virus in new, the human immune system will have no pre-existing immunity (may result in more serious disease than normal influenza).

pandemic.html Seasonal Flu Pandemic Predictable seasonal patterns (winter) Immunity built up form previous exposure Healthy adults generally not at high risk; very young, elderly, health complications more risk of serious complications Occurs rarely (3 times in last century-last 1968) No previous exposure, little or no immunity Healthy people may be at increased risk for serious complications

emic.html Seasonal Flu Pandemic Vaccine based on known flu strains and available Fever, cough, runny nose, muscle pain- Deaths caused by pneumonia Societal impact (school closing, encourage people to stay at home) Vaccine probably not available during early stages Symptoms may be more severe and complications more frequent Societal impact (restricted travel, closing of schools and businesses, cancel large gatherings)

m ndemic.html Some Potential Pandemic Repercussions Expected high rates of illness and worker absenteeism Possible disrupted social and economic systems (grocery stores with limited supplies, power outages due to limited staff to maintain power network, etc.)

ndemic10things/en/index.html Surveillance WHO, Ministers of Health, and Public Health Organizations are utilizing a surveillance system that can detect emerging influenza strains. Pandemics are divided into six “phases”

CDC Pandemic Phases Phase 1 : No new influenza virus subtypes have been detected in humans. An influenza virus subtype that has caused human infection may be present in animals. If present in animals, the risk of human infection or disease is considered to be low. Phase 2: No new influenza virus subtypes have been detected in humans. However, a circulating animal influenza virus subtype poses a substantial risk of human disease.

CDC Pandemic Phases Phase 3: Human infection(s) with a new subtype but no human-to-human spread, or at most rare instances of spread to a close contact. Currently in Phase 3 Phase 4: Small cluster(s) with limited human-to- human transmission but spread is highly localized, suggesting that the virus is not well adapted to humans.

CDC Pandemic Phases Phase 5: Larger cluster(s) but human-to-human spread still localized, suggesting that the virus is becoming increasingly better adapted to humans but may not yet be fully transmissible (substantial pandemic risk). Phase 6: Pandemic: increased and sustained transmission in general population.

enza/foodrisk2005_11_03/en/print.ht ml WHO Food Safety Issues: Nov. 05 H5N1 avian influenza is not transmitted to humans through properly cooked food Normal cooking temperatures (foods reach 70°C in all parts) will kill the virus No “pink” parts No “runny” eggs yolks Be aware of cross-contamination risks between raw poultry and other foods (juices from raw poultry mixing with other food items that will be eaten raw)

enza/foodrisk2005_11_03/en/print.ht ml WHO Continued (1) During food preparation, important to wash hands and disinfect surfaces (soap and hot water are sufficient) H5N1 can survive for at least one month at low temperatures (freezing and refrigeration, will not substantially reduce the concentration of the virus in contaminated meat or kill the virus In countries with outbreaks, eggs can contain the virus inside and outside the shell

e/avian_influenza/foodr isk2005_11_03/en/print.html avian_faqs/en/index.html keys/en WHO Continued (2) To date, a large number of H5N1 human infections have been linked to home slaughter and subsequent handling of diseased or dead birds prior to cooking. Separate raw meat from cooked or ready to eat foods to avoid contamination Do not use the same chopping board or knife to prepare meat and other foods Do not place cooked meat back on the same plate or surface it was on before cooking To date, no evidence indicates that any person has become infected with H5N1 following the consumption of properly cooked poultry or poultry products

Handouts WHO Food safety: Spreading the 5 key messages-printable posters-multiple languages WHO Food Safety Implications Centers for Disease Control Pandemic and Avian Q&A Excerpt of Bird Flu by Dr. Marc Siegel

Emergency/Disaster Preparedness

Authority OAA Title III, Sec. 310: 1. Gives the aging network the authority and responsibility to provide disaster services. 2. AoA and Red Cross MOU:C1 and C2 available to general public during disaster and official request from Red Cross-may reimburse CCR Sec and 7547: 1. Written procedures for I&A to assist seniors 2. All staff who work with seniors-trained annually on handling emergencies and disasters 2002 Admin. Order on Emergency Preparedness: 1. Monitor AAAs emergency plans

Preparedness: With Whom Local office of Emergency Services (Tab #5) b e/63C36622A1FD C4C0059B359?OpenDocument b e/63C36622A1FD C4C0059B359?OpenDocument

Resources CDA Disaster Handbook: _AAAs.pdf PrepareNow.Org: Sample emergency plan template. Disaster preparedness materials in multiple languages for seniors and people with disabilities. Site designed to raise awareness of the needs and concerns of vulnerable populations in disasters. 72hours.org:

Questions