Bird Flu and You:Understanding Avian Influenza

Presented byNPS Risk Management Division

andBiological Resources Management Division

AndPublic Health Program

David Bleicher, CIH

Chuck Higgins Margaret Wild, DVM, PhD

Preparation for the Possibility

Be Prepared to Mute and Unmute

Question or Comment?

Unmute, then “Excuse me [instructor],Unmute, then “Excuse me [instructor],this is [name] at [location],this is [name] at [location],

I have a question (or comment).”I have a question (or comment).”

Wait for the instructor to acknowledge you, then ask your question or make

your comment.

Get To Know Your Classmates…

• Your name?

• Your position?

• How many years with the park service?

• What are some questions you have about bird flu or avian influenza?

Participant Guide

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Throughout the course, refer to Throughout the course, refer to your participant guide.your participant guide.

This symbol shows the pageThis symbol shows the pagein the participant guide forin the participant guide forthe information/exercisethe information/exercisebeing presented.being presented.

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Objectives

• Refer to your participant guide

What Is An Influenza Virus?

What Are the InfluenzaVirus Types?

Type APrimarily infects birds, may infect people, pigs, horses and marine mammals

Type BInfects only humans

Type CInfects only humans and results in very mild disease

Further Type Variations

• Strains based on surface proteinsDesignated by an H and an N

• Low pathogenic to high pathogenic

Avian influenza of concern is –Type A with H5N1 surface proteins and is highly pathogenic

How Is Influenza Transmitted?

Droplets ejected into air by:

• Sneezes

• Coughs

Another person breathes the droplets or touches a misted surface and then touches mouth, nose or eyes.

Influenza Symptoms

• Fever

• Aches

• Cough

• Runny nose

• Sore throat

• 1-2 weeks

Influenza is NOT…

• A common cold

• The “stomach flu”

Genetic Drift

• Gradual process of change as replication of virus introduces slight errors in the genetic code

• Reason new vaccines are needed each year

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Genetic Shift

• Significant shift over a short period of time

• Creates a whole new virus• No immunity• If the new virus sustains person to

person contact, then you can have a pandemic

Pandemic

• World wide outbreak

• 1918 Spanish Flu 50M ww

• 1957-58 Asian Flu 70K US

• 1968-69 Hong Kong Flu34K US

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Routes of Introduction

• Migratory birds

• Human assisted movement of wild or domestic birds

• Human to human transmission

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Migratory Bird Flyways

Flyways in Lower 48

Illegal Trade

Human to Human Transmission

Waterfowl

Die Off in Mongolia and China

What Mammals Are Affected?

• Pigs

• Leopards, tigers and civets

Poultry Ranch

Surveillance

Unusual Mortality Event

• Unusual mortality events involving birds, particularly waterfowl or shore birds, should be investigated, carcasses removed, and samples submitted for AI screening.

• Report an unusual mortality event to Natural Resources staff at your location.

Prevention Toolbox• Sanitation and hygiene

• Isolation

• Quarantine

• Education

• Vaccines

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PPE—Barrier Protection• Gloves• Eye Protection

• Glasses• Face Shield• Goggles

• Respiratory Protection• N-95 • PAPR

• Splash Protection• Gown• apron

Massachusetts Department of Public Health

Visit www.cdc.gov/handhygiene for additional hand hygiene information.

Preventing Personal ExposureGeneral Public

• Avoid touching wildlife

• Hygiene

• Don’t pick up sick or dead wildlife

Preventing Personal ExposureHunting

• Don’t handle or eat sick game

• Wear gloves• Sanitation & Hygiene

• Don’t eat, drink, smoke while handling

• Thoroughly cook (160°F)

Preventing Personal ExposureField Biologists—HPAI Not

Suspected

• Wear gloves

• Protective eye wear

• Wash hands; Disinfect equipment

• Don’t eat, drink or smoke

Preventing Personal ExposureField Biologists—Mortality Event

• Wear gloves, coveralls, boots

• Protective eye wear (goggles)

• N-95 Respirator

• Wash hands; Disinfect equipment & potentially infectious material

• Don’t eat, drink or smoke

Let’s Be Clear About Respiratory Protection

Preventing Personal ExposureField Biologists—Known HPAI

• Wear gloves, coveralls, boots• Protective eye wear (goggles)• N-95 Respirator• Wash hands; Disinfect equipment & potentially

infectious material• Don’t eat, drink or smoke√ Monitor health√ See Healthcare provider√ Prophylactic medication

What if Sustained Human-to-Human Transmission?

In Case of a Pandemic...

• Protect our NPS employees?

• Limit impacts to economy and society?

How Will We:

CLOSED ?

Protecting Employees & Society

How Will WE Use Our Public Health Tool Box?

• How will it impact visitor services; Visitor contacts?

• Employee--Human resources issues! Policies?• What must we prepare to protect our

employees and visitors?• How will we communicate and educate NPS

employees?• What is our role in the national response?

What is NPS Doing?

• Preparation has been going on and continues

• Task Force

• Presidential supplemental funding

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Resources

• People

• ZED web site

• Web based training

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Question and Answer

To Get Credit

• Print your name on the roster

• Complete the evaluation today

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Bird Flu and You:Understanding Avian Influenza

Presented byNPS Risk Management Division

andBiological Resources Management Division

AndPublic Health Program