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"Coordinated and effective responses to emergencies on campus are guided by the University of Minnesota Emergency Operations Plan. This plan outlines the specific process for managing major emergencies that threaten the health and safety of the campus community and disrupt its programs and activities. The plan identifies departments and individuals that are directly responsible for emergency response and critical support services, and provides a management structure for coordinating and deploying essential resources."
(Jan. 11, 2006) As avian flu kills a growing number of people and outbreaks of the virus are reported in birds from China to Turkey, public health officials fear a new global influenza pandemic could already be brewing. (Click on link to read more...)
"Prompt and accurate reporting of H5N1 influenza cases to WHO is the cornerstone for monitoring both the global evolution of this disease and the corresponding risk that a pandemic virus might emerge."
"This years theme is "Extending the Enterprise" and the conferences goal is to search for ways to effectively extend the preparedness enterprise to include new types of partnerships between industry and government. This theme will be explored as participants discuss the opportunities for the private sector to participate in creating a cohesive, end-to-end preparedness framework that will ensure that vaccines and therapeutics are ready and available to protect the public."
"The
summit connects distinguished scientists, international
health organizations and world leaders with heads of
the worlds top companies to discuss how the world can survive an imminent pandemic."
"The aim of the Symposium is to stage a forum in which researchers and scientists working in the field of avian influenza can exchange information and experience, which could possibly lead to future research collaborations."
"Meeting Objectives
1) Review epidemiology of influenza in Asia through presentations of mortality models, transmission dynamics research, genomic mutation patterns, and vaccination impact studies.
2) Demonstrate utility of secondary source data to study the epidemiology of influenza
3) Establish collaborations for bi-national and multinational studies
4) Communicate findings to policy makers
5) Analyze data during a workshop on methodologies for influenza studies, including possible expansion into discussion of primary data collection and genomics"
"The 2007 Preparing for Pandemic Influenza Conference will bring together an influential gathering of medical and public health leaders to stress the importance of national, state, and local preparedness to respond to a pandemic so that we can ensure the health and safety of our people in the face of this ominous threat."
"Although there have been no animal or human illnesses identified in the U.S., the avian influenza virus is spreading rapidly in birds and animals in other parts of the world. Get answers to your questions about avian influenza and your health.
"Coordinated and effective responses to emergencies on campus are guided by the University of Minnesota Emergency Operations Plan. This plan outlines the specific process for managing major emergencies that threaten the health and safety of the campus community and disrupt its programs and activities. The plan identifies departments and individuals that are directly responsible for emergency response and critical support services, and provides a management structure for coordinating and deploying essential resources."
"President Bush asked Congress for $7.1 billion to fund preparations, and in December 2005 Congress appropriated $3.8 billion to help the Nation prepare. Of that, $3.3 billion was allocated to HHS. "This report outlines how that funding is being used to help achieve HHSs five primary objectives."
"SUMMARY: Declaration pursuant to
section 319F–3 of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d-6d) to
provide targeted liability protections for
pandemic countermeasures based on a
credible risk that an avian influenza
virus spreads and evolves into a strain
capable of causing a pandemic of
human influenza."
"Since the release of the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza Implementation Plan one year ago, much has been accomplished to realize the U.S. Governments pandemic preparedness and response goals of: (1) stopping, slowing, or otherwise limiting the spread of a pandemic to the United States; (2) limiting the domestic spread of a pandemic and mitigating disease, suffering, and death; and (3) sustaining infrastructure and mitigating impact to the economy and the functioning of society."
European Commission. Animal Health & Welfare. Introduction, causative agents, clinical symptoms, transmission & spread, legislation on control measures, notifications, vaccination
"EISS helps reduce the burden of disease associated with influenza in Europe by collecting and exchanging timely information on influenza activity, contributing to the annual determination of the influenza vaccine content, providing relevant information about influenza to health professionals and the general public and contributing to European influenza pandemic preparedness activities."
"In a single electronic platform, the WHOs Communicable Disease Global Atlas is bringing together for analysis and comparison standardized data and statistics for infectious diseases at country, regional, and global levels. The analysis and interpretation of data are further supported through information on demography, socioeconomic conditions, and environmental factors."
Public Health Agency of Canada. Frequently Asked Questions ; Wild Bird Survey (2005) ; Information for Travellers ; Global Reporting on Avian Influenza ; Guidelines
USINFO.STATE.GOV. USINFO delivers information about current U.S. foreign policy and about American life and culture. This site is produced and maintained by the U.S. Department of States Bureau of International Information Programs.
"The first part of the paper looks at the global development of avian influenza throughout the past year, highlighting in particular the rapid spread and rising threat - to animals and humans - posed by the virus." "This paper also reviews the agreed financing framework that takes into account donors varying mandates and concerns in providing funds. "
"This document provides interim planning guidance for State, territorial, tribal, and local communities that focuses on several measures other than vaccination and drug treatment that might be useful during an influenza pandemic to reduce its harm."
June 28, 2006 / 55(Early Release);1-41
This report updates the 2005 recommendations by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) regarding the use of influenza vaccine and antiviral agents
"Most infectious disease experts believe that the world stands on the verge of an influenza pandemic (Chen et al., 2004; WHO, 2004a; Webby and Webster, 2003). Yet despite the legacy of the 1918 "Spanish flu", estimated to have killed at least 20 million people,2 and the additional deaths, social disruption, and economic losses that resulted from pandemics in 1957 and 1968, the general public appears relatively unconcerned about the next "killer flu". Considerably more attention has been focused on protecting the public from terrorist attacks than from the far more likely and pervasive threat of pandemic influenza - an event conservatively expected to cause between 2 and 8 million deaths (WHO, 2004a)."
Background
The phrase "bird flu" has become prevalent in the professional literature and especially in the public print media. Major difficulties with this expression exist, largely because it is ambiguous, and because all influenza A viruses have a host in birds. The expression is not always used consistently by authors: sometimes it (correctly) describes the disease in birds, while other times it refers to a disease and potential pandemic in humans. Therefore the 2006 Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) have been refined to allow easier and more consistent indexing and search retrieval for this subject area.
"The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
developed this pandemic influenza planning guidance based upon
traditional infection control and industrial hygiene practices. It is
important to note that there is currently no pandemic; thus, this
guidance is intended for planning purposes and is not specific to a
particular viral strain. Additional guidance may be needed as an
actual pandemic unfolds and more is known about the characteristics
of the virulence of the virus, disease transmissibility, clinical
manifestation, drug susceptibility, and risks to different age groups
and subpopulations."
Royal Society - The Academy of Medical Sciences (November 2006)
"The scientific understanding of avian and human
influenza must play an important role in both short and
long term planning to deal with the threat of a pandemic.
The Royal Society and Academy of Medical Sciences
established a joint working group (see Annex 1 for the
membership) to examine the extent to which scientific
evidence is being incorporated into preparedness for a
pandemic, and to identify areas where policymakers
might make better use of the scientific evidence in policy
development and contingency planning."
"This paper outlines the key areas that pandemic influenza business continuity plans should address. The IFPMA recommends that members develop detailed plans to address the issues covered in this paper, and publish a non-confidential overview
on their websites to enhance confidence and demonstrate their preparedness
to key stakeholders: employees, governments, suppliers, customers, health care professionals and local communities."
"The Implementation Plan for the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza assigns responsibility to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for leading the Federal Governments
animal health efforts to combat highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza (HPAI H5N1)
worldwide. The HPAI H5N1 strain of avian influenza is often fatal to birds and is of greatest
current concern in affected and high-risk countries."
"This document provides a framework and approach for public health authorities and
investigators at all levels to plan for and conduct investigations of human cases of A(H5N1) (or
other novel influenza viruses of pandemic potential). The document focuses on the key steps
that should be undertaken in an investigation."
"The purpose of the Flu Wiki is to help local communities prepare for and perhaps cope with a possible influenza pandemic. This is a task previously ceded to local, state and national governmental public health agencies. Our goal is to be:
* a reliable source of information, as neutral as possible, about important facts useful for a public health approach to pandemic influenza
* a venue for anticipating the vast range of problems that may arise if a pandemic does occur
* a venue for thinking about implementable solutions to foreseeable problems"
PBS Wide Angle series: online video (47 minutes). Episode description: The next global human flu epidemic may begin with a sick duck in Vietnams Mekong River Delta, now the epicenter of a deadly bird flu outbreak. The World Health Organization estimates that the H5N1 virus -- which already has jumped species from birds to humans -- could kill tens of millions of people worldwide. WIDE ANGLE travels to Vietnam to investigate the threat of a global pandemic, portraying Vietnams response to outbreaks in its cities, provinces and villages, where doctors, epidemiologists, and veterinarians are battling the virus. As the government tries to contain the disease and educate its people, there is growing evidence that the virus is evolving and already may have begun to spread via human-to-human contact for the first time, dramatically increasing the risk of a worldwide catastrophe.
Includes related show features such as an interactive surveillence map, onine resources and filmaker notes.
Authoritative information from National Library of Medicine, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.
"An informed and prepared public is essential to minimizing the health effects of a pandemic and the resulting consequences to society.
Learn important health and safety information concerning pandemic influenza, with material targeted for specific groups such as families, travelers, workers, communities, and health professionals."
"Prepare.Plan.Stay Informed."
"Ready is a national public service advertising campaign produced by The Advertising Council in partnership with Homeland Security. The Ready Campaign is designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies, including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks."
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (November 2006)
"The purpose of this guide is to provide community planners - as well as planners at the facility/community, institutional, State, and Federal levels - with valuable information and insights that will help them in their efforts to plan for and respond to a mass casualty event (MCE)."
"The guidelines are generic in nature and can be used in any health care
facility. Countries need to adapt them to suit their needs, context and
resources."
"Several measures to prevent, detect or contain the H5N1 virus in the EU have managed to stop the virus from spreading up to now. The future evolution of the situation is difficult to foresee because the H5N1 virus is still present in many countries, for example in Asia.
The European Commission and the Member States constantly review the state of the disease outbreaks in the world and adapt the surveillance and the control measures accordingly.
The programme visited a Hungarian farm which was the departure point for an outbreak of avian flu that spread to 28 other Hungarian farms. As a result, a million poultry fowl had to be destroyed. " (October 2006)
"On January 30, 2006, Michael J. Klag, MD, MPH, dean of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, convened a day-long symposium to examine the public health aspects of a potential pandemic like H5N1 avian influenza. The event, entitled "Avian Flu: The Pandemic Threat and the Global Strategy," brought together experts on every facet of the avian flu, to educate the wider community on what we know and dont know about this alarming disease."
"Avian influenza, or bird flu, is a major concern for public health authorities and is an increasing threat to public health. Dr. David ... all » Henderson, deputy director for clinical care of the NIH Clinical Center, discusses what bird flu is, how it spreads, and where we can look for possible treatment and prevention. Presented October 18, 2005 as a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Medicine for the Public lecture, and now part of the reference library for FluLabs online planning tools.
Lecture program distributed by FluLab, founding sponsor of the International Bird Flu Summit, Washington, DC."
" An hour-long look at the threat of Avian Flu with: Sir Paul Nurse, President, Rockefeller University, Michael Leavitt, Secretary of Health ... all » & Human Services, Dr. Julie Gerberding, Director, Centers for Disease Control, Dr. Harvey Fineberg, President, Institute of Medicine, Dr. Peter Palese, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Dr. David Nabarro, Coordinator, U.N. Response to Avian Flu, & Laurie Garrett, Author / Council on Foreign Relations."
"All Things Considered, February 25, 2006. The dangerous H5N1 strain of bird flu is spreading faster than experts expected. French officials confirmed the virus Saturday in domestic fowl, as well as wild birds. How worried should we be?"
"In this year of heightened influenza worry because of avian flu, this program examines the historical significance of the disease and lessons that this history offers. The widespread nature of significant pandemics (1918) - and the possible role played by cross-species transmission - can lend insights into current plans to contain future outbreaks. Hear experts from the US and Canada - including infection control officers, officials who dealt with SARS and the former chair of the Committee on Influenza for IDSA - discuss seasonal and avian influenza, addressing both vaccinations and anti-viral strategies."
"Although it is difficult to predict when the next pandemic flu might occur or how severe it will be, one thing is certain: educators, parents and community leaders can take steps now to lessen the impact of such an outbreak. Schools can equip themselves to deal with possible school closings, staff and student absences, medical care for children, and the need to maintain the learning environment. Because schools are centers of community life, educators and administrators will need to work with state and local officials to make planning for pandemic flu a priority. And parents can ready their families by developing a family plan, storing food and water, and modeling good hygiene".
October 15, 2005
Forum discusses the avian flu, following President Bushs warning last week about a possible breakout.
Host: Michael Krasny
Guests:
Dr. Carol Cardona, poultry veterinarian and associate professor at the University of California at Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Cooperative Extension
Dr. Christian Sandrock, medical director of the California Preparedness Education Network and physician at University of California at Davis Medical Center
John M. Barry, author of "The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague In History"
Sabin Russell, medical writer for the San Francisco Chronicle
LaMontagne Lecture - Pandemic Influenza: Lessons Learned and Revisited
Program date and time:
Thursday, May 11, 2006, 2:00:00 PM
Description:
The LaMontagne Lecture
Michael T. Osterholm, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Director - Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy
Professor
School of Public Health
University of Minnesota
Author:
Michael T. Osterholm, Ph.D., M.P.H., University of Minnesota
Runtime 90 minutes
Aired: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 10-11AM ET
By host Tom Ashbrook:
Bird flu is getting closer. Poultry is dying, in Biblical numbers were told, in Turkey. Fifteen human cases confirmed there. Three Turks dead in the first human outbreak outside East Asia.
Europe, next door, is slamming down the hatches. No duck hunting in Cyprus. Bulgaria is disinfecting incoming cars. Western Europe is checking anti-viral drug supplies and bracing.
The U.S. is also not immune. Scientists on the migratory birdways in Alaska are now saying the question is not if but when bird flu hits North America -- where President Bush has suggested martial law. But the hint of good news is that maybe bird flu is not as deadly as we thought.
Hear about the spread of bird flu to Europes doorstep.
Guests:
by Jon Hamilton
Morning Edition, December 16, 2005. When public officials talk about bird flu, they often quote a scary statistic: Half of all the people known to be infected with the virus have died. But scientists say that figure has little bearing on whats likely to happen in an actual pandemic.
In fact, flu experts have pretty much ignored the 50-percent figure when estimating how many people might die in a bird-flu pandemic. Thats because such a high mortality rate goes against all of our experience with flu viruses, says Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
by Robert Siegel and Melissa Block
All Things Considered, October 20, 2005. There are many types of influenza, but the strain that currently has health officials worried is H5N1. At the moment, the disease mostly affects birds. An estimated 150 million birds have either died of the disease -- or been killed in an attempt to stop its spread.
by Robert Siegel and Melissa Block
All Things Considered, October 21, 2005. In a two-part report, public health experts answer listeners questions about the threat of a potential flu pandemic. The H5N1 avian flu virus has led to the deaths of 150 million birds, either through infection or culling to prevent the spread of the virus.
Stories included in this episode: 1) Avian Flu Cases on the Rise in Turkey 2) U.S. Plan to Stockpile Bird-Flu Vaccine a Big Gamble 3) Study Sheds Light on How Depression Drugs Work 4) Types of Strokes and Sharons Treatment 5) Seattle at Forefront of Planning for Flu Pandemic 6) Study: Salvage Logging Increases Forest-Fire Threat
"Fresh Air from WHYY, February 2, 2006. Fear and paranoia often take hold when a disease threatens to become an epidemic. Dr. Marc K. Siegel is the author of the new book Bird Flu: Everything You Need to Know About the Next Pandemic."
"A new study finds that the much-feared avian flu is rarely -- if ever -- transmitted from human to human. But some experts dont think the question is if there will be a human-to-human avian flu epidemic, but when. Alex Chadwick talks with Dr. Paul Offit, chief of infectious diseases at Childrens Hospital in Philadelphia, about the chances the virus will mutate into a form deadly to humans."
" A discussion of some of the health care planning issues and local planning issues that arise around the topic of pandemic influenza. This program also looks at the HHS plan and how Seattle and King County are working to implement it locally".
"The Regional Pandemic Flu Conference addresses issues that would face the Northwest if there were a pandemic flu outbreak. Topics include community coordination, infection control in the health-care setting, an update on antiviral drugs, health-care facilities preparation, patient care issues, and palliative care."
Program Series includes videos on the following: Infection Control in Healthcare Settings for Viral Respiratory Pathogens, Pandemic Preparedness for Health Care Facilities, Panel Discussion: Local Pandemic Flu Planning, Patient Care During a Catastrophic Event & The Role of Palliative Care, Regional Disaster Planning Efforts & The Biology of Pandemic Influenza
Posted to The Leonard Lopate Show on July 14, 2005
Avian flu may now be regarded mainly as a threat for birds. But some scientists believe it could become a human pandemic. In todays Underreported feature, Dr. Michael T. Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP), and Peter Aldhous, Chief News & Features Editor Nature Magazine, shed some light on the disease.
10/18/05
Bob Meyers, president, National Press Foundation
Nanda Chitre, RX for Survival, WGBH
Michael Osterholm, associate director, NCFPD
Rex Archer, president, NACC Health Officials
Olusoji Adeyi, coordinator, public health, World Bank
To open discussions of increasing health risks in a globalized world, Dr Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and associate director of the Department of Homeland Securitys National Center for Food Protection and Defense, provides an overview of the avian flu. Dr Rex Archer, president of the National Association of County and City Health Officials discusses American preparations for avian flu and other pandemics, while Dr Olusoji Adeyi, coordinator of Public Health Programs at The World Bank, provides an international perspective on preparation and the need to improve health in developing countries in order to reduce risk of pandemics.
This lecture is part one in a three part series of discussions from the National Press Foundations "Increasing Health Risks in Our Globalized World: A Conference for Journalists."