Colorado State University Extension
SafeFood Rapid Response Network
Go to Table of Contents for this issue
STAYING INFORMED DURING THE FLU SEASON
Edited by: Stephanie Wallner, M.S., Mary Schroeder, M.S., R.D, Pat Kendall, Ph.D., R.D., Colorado State - Fall 2006
As the winter months and colder weather approach, the flu season looms and we begin to think more about flu shots and staying up to date with the latest information. Besides typical daily worries about the common seasonal flu that affects so many of us annually, there has been growing public concern and confusion over recent reports of avian flu and pandemic flu. There are some differences between these types of illnesses, so it is helpful to be as informed as possible in order to stay healthy.
The type of flu that sends many people to their doctors during this time of year is known as common or seasonal flu, a respiratory illness that is contagious and can easily be passed from person to person. Each year, 5 to 20% of the U.S. population gets the flu. While the common flu is usually not serious for otherwise healthy individuals, it can lead to serious complications, including hospitalization and death in young children, older adults and persons with certain medical conditions. A yearly flu shot is recommended for children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years, pregnant women, persons over age 50 and anyone with a chronic medical condition or living in a nursing home. It's also recommended for health care workers and persons who take care of high risk patients.
The main type of flu attracting attention in recent headlines is the avian flu - or bird flu - which is caused by influenza viruses occurring naturally in wild birds. Migratory birds can carry avian flu in their intestines, although they often do not become sick from the virus. Avian flu is, however, very contagious among birds, and domesticated birds can become seriously ill or die after contracting the flu from contaminated surfaces, food, or water. There are various subtypes of avian flu, all of which can be found in birds. The strain known as avian influenza H5N1 is highly pathogenic, has infected birds in Asia, Europe, and Africa, and can be spread to humans through direct contact with infected birds. Although the spread of the virus to humans has been very rare so far, public health officials consider the H5N1 bird flu to be a major concern because humans have no immunity to the H5N1 strain and there is currently no vaccine available. The effort to find an effective vaccine is ongoing, but in the meantime, concern continues over potential serious illness and death in humans.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are currently ongoing outbreaks of avian flu among poultry in several countries, but only a few human cases of illness have been associated with these outbreaks. Since 1997, the World Health Organization (WHO) has tracked cases of human avian influenza H5N1. To date (10/03/06), 252 human cases resulting in 148 deaths have been reported to the WHO, mostly in China and the Middle East. Most cases have resulted from direct contact with infected birds. The CDC stresses that the H5N1 virus is not easily or frequently transmitted to humans.
The main concern among public health officials over the H5N1 avian flu is the potential for the strain to mutate and become more easily spread from person to person. Since humans have no immunity to this type of flu, a pandemic, or worldwide disease outbreak, could result. There is currently no pandemic flu causing serious illness, and health officials are closely monitoring the bird flu situation and working to develop an effective vaccine. Meanwhile, shots for the common flu are available. Detailed information about influenza viruses is available and frequently updated through the following resources:
- http://www.cdc.gov/flu
- http://www.pandemicflu.gov
- http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en//
Sources:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Avian Influenza: Current Situation. Accessed September 25, 2006, at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/outbreaks/current.htm.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fact Sheet: Key Facts About Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) and Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus. Accessed September 25, 2006, at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/facts.htm.
- Colorado State Home to Avian Influenza Surveillance Program. E-Insight, May 2006 edition. College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University. Available at: http://welcome.colostate.edu/index.asp?url=programs_pabilonia. Accessed September 25, 2006.
