This information was developed in conjunction with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS). For more FAQs, visit the DPHHS FAQ web page.
Scientists and doctors can't tell us when or where the next pandemic flu will strike or how severe it will be. But most agree that there will be another pandemic sometime in the future. Pandemic influenza has occurred periodically throughout human history. Since we know that, we have an advantage: We can plan for the next one, whenever it might be.
The scientific community is increasingly concerned about a new virus known as H5N1, a type of avian, or bird, flu. It has been spreading through bird populations across Asia and has recently reached Europe and Africa . So far, human cases of illness caused by this virus have been very rare.
A limited number of human cases of avian flu have occurred, primarily among people who had direct, sustained contact with infected birds. Little or no evidence exists that this infection can spread from person to person. But scientists and government officials believe that if the H5N1 virus mutates so that it becomes easily transmissible, it could pose a significant threat to our health, our economy, and our way of life. It's something that we all need to take seriously and plan for.
While we can't know for sure what the exact impacts would be, there would be considerable impact, including death, disability, and economic and social disruption. Any projection at this time would be speculative.
Over the past several years, all federal, state, and local health departments have been developing plans to address public health emergencies, including an influenza pandemic. In fact, public health workers are continually monitoring the health of each community and responding each day as needed. As a result, they have systems in place that can be intensified to respond to a public health emergency. Health departments also work closely with essential partners (such as disaster officials, hospitals, and other health-care providers) to plan a coordinated response to the challenges a pandemic would present.
Although a flu pandemic would present many challenges for our citizens and health-care system, the goal of our planning is to minimize the impacts of pandemic disease on Montanans.
Scientists don't fully understand the role of migratory birds in the spread of avian influenza. At this time, no evidence of the H5N1 avian flu has been discovered in the Western Hemisphere . However, recent evidence suggests that migratory birds are spreading the H5N1 virus, and further spread is expected.
Keep in mind, though, that at this time the avian flu remains a disease primarily of birds rather than humans.
There is no evidence that properly cooked poultry or eggs can be a source of infection. It is important to follow safe cooking methods--such as rinsing the poultry before preparing it, preparing it on a clean surface, and cooking it thoroughly--to avoid transmission of other more common pathogens, such as Salmonella.
For most people who do not have allergies, it is safe to own pet birds. Pet birds have little opportunity to be exposed to viruses carried by wild birds.
The general public can do something now to prepare themselves and their families for a possible pandemic flu. You can:
