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CampCare -
Come Join the fun!
The New Hux Cancer Center is now open.
One Team, One Focus...You!
AP&S Oncology, Hope Center, Union Hospital Radiation Oncology, and soon, Clara Fairbanks Center for Women have joined forces in the new 88,000-square-foot facility.
Click here to learn more
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 PANDEMIC INFLUENZA
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
- What is the Pandemic Flu?
The pandemic flu occurs when a new influenza virus emerges for which people have little or no immunity, and there is no vaccine. The disease spreads easily person-to-person causing serious illness. The flu pandemic can sweep across the country and around the world in very rapid time.
- What are the symptoms if someone has been infected by the avian flu?
If there are sudden changes to the body with human-like influenza symptoms such as cough, fever, sore throat, pneumonia, muscle aches, eye infections, and severe respiratory diseases, be prepared to have a check-up with a healthcare provider. Personal hygiene must be watched carefully with touching other persons and surfaces.
- Besides coughing and sneezing, can the virus be spread by human-to-human transmission in other ways?
The influenza virus is primarily spread by airborne droplets, which easily infect your sensitive spots such as your eyes, nose, and mouth. Touching contaminated surfaces and touching your face can spread the influenza virus.
- Is there a vaccine or treatment?
As of July 2006, the federal government has announced that they have stockpiled enough vaccine against H5N1 avian influenza virus to vaccinate about 4 million people and enough antiviral medication to treat about 6.3 million.
- If the Pandemic flu creates a worldly outbreak, whom will it affect the most. Are certain people more in danger then others?
If the Pandemic flu evolves into human-to-human transmission everyone should be cautioned. The avian virus does not target certain individuals, but infants, elderly, those with severe health conditions, healthy young individuals and pregnant women will be the most at risk.
- Are there any cases of Americans being infected by the Avian Flu (H5N1) in the United States?
Currently, there have been no human cases of Avian Influenza in the United States. There has also been no evidence of Americans becoming infected while traveling abroad. Medical and public health personnel have been watching closely to any evidence of human cases in the United States.
- Can migratory birds bring avian influenza (H5N1) to North America?
Migratory birds infected with the avian influenza (H5N1) returning from Asia could potentially interact with other North American wild birds, but usually illegal smuggling of birds and poultry products, travel by infected people, or people traveling with virus are more direct, and more likely, ways of introducing the avian virus into the United States.
- Will the avian flu affect communities and businesses?
If a pandemic flu does occur, this will cause many people to be sick at the same time. With this happening, people will not be able to go to work, and the businesses that we need like grocery stores and gas stations, etc. will be closed due to shortage of employees. Some people will stay at home to take care of sick family members. People will need to work together to plan for a pandemic response.
- Besides Union Hospital Health Group and other state and local officials, what is the United States doing to prepare to stop the spread of the H5N1 virus?
The United States has been working with other countries in making preparations and providing checklists and information for individuals and family in society. The Department of Defense is working with other international countries to follow and fight the spread of avian influenza in areas where it is currently found. Studies have also been done to suggest ways to improve and benefit the care of the country.
- What is the Pandemic alert phase and what phase are we presently in?
The World Health Organization (WHO) developed an alert system to inform the world of the seriousness of the pandemic. The alert system has a total of 6 phases, with Phase1 being the lowest and Phase 6 being the highest. The world is currently at Phase 3. For more information about the alert system click here (http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/phase/en/index.html)
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