The White Falcon - 02.03.2006, Page 10

Health Care Corner: avian flu information
Important facts:
• Avian influenza, also called avian flu or bird flu,
is caused by a group of viruses found naturally in
birds. There are many avian flu viruses. One type,
called “highly pathogenic H5N1 virus,” has caused
serious illness and death in a small number of people
in Asia since 2003.
• The H5N1 avian flu vims is not present in birds or
people in the United States.
• The H5N1 virus in its current form does not pass
easily from person to person. A vaccine against the
H5N1 avian flu virus is under development. Common
measures such as covering your mouth and nose when
coughing and sneezing and keeping your hands clean
help prevent the spread of viruses.
• People infected with the H5N1 virus will probably
have severe flu symptoms. These symptoms usually
include fever, sore throat, cough, pneumonia, muscle
aches, and diarrhea. Only a health care provider can
determine what type of flu vims you have.
• While the H5N1 avian flu virus has killed mil-
lions of birds, it is not a pandemic (global outbreak) in
people, and there is no evidence that it will become a
pandemic in its current form.
How is the H5N1 avian flu virus affecting the poul-
try and wild birds around the world?
Since 1997, hundreds of millions of wild birds and
poultry have died or been destroyed from the H5N1
avian flu virus. The H5N1 avian flu virus sickens or
kills most of the birds that become infected, but some
wild birds may carry the virus without becoming sick.
Is the H5N1 avian flu virus affecting people?
The current outbreaks of H5N1 virus began affect-
ing people in Asia in 2003. To date, less than 200
people have been diagnosed with the H5N1 avian
flu virus. People can catch the H5N1 avian flu virus
from birds, so anywhere birds are affected, people are
also at risk. Most people catch the virus from direct
contact with infected birds. About half of the affected
people have died.
All of the human cases of this H5N1 avian flu have
been overseas. If I am in the United States, do I have
to worry?
The H5N1 avian flu virus is not present in the
United States. If the H5N1 avian flu virus changes
(“mutates”) to pass easily from person to person, this
could cause an influenza pandemic and potentially
affect millions of people. See “Pandemic Flu” at:
http://deploymenthealthlibrary.flip.osd.mil/products/
dhsd/PandemicFlu_l 20705.pdf. In a small number
of cases, the H5N1 avian flu virus may have spread
between family members or to healthcare workers
through close contact.
How do health care providers tell the difference
between the H5N1 avian flu and seasonal flu in peo-
ple?
The seasonal flu and the H5N1 avian flu cause
similar symptoms in people (fever, sore throat, cough,
pneumonia, muscle aches, diarrhea). If you are nor-
mally a healthy person and you have severe flu symp-
toms, you should discuss your condition with your
health care provider. If your health care provider sus-
pects that you have avian flu, he or she can do further
testing to determine what kind of flu virus is involved.
The results of this test may take up to a week to reach
your doctor.
Are service members at a high risk of H5N1 avian
flu virus infection?
People in close contact with poultry at farms and
live bird markets in areas where the H5N1 virus
is present are at a higher risk for infection. Service
members serving in such areas should use increased
caution. There may be a slight risk from consuming
undercooked poultry infected with the H5N1 avian flu
virus. Proper cooking of poultry should kill the virus
and prevent infection.
Since I am not in contact with live poultry, are there
precautions I should take to further protect my family
and myself?
Do not handle any sick bird or other animal. Pets
and wild animals can carry a wide range of illnesses
that may spread to people. You should use protective
gloves if you must touch a sick bird. It is unlikely that
a pet bird is infected with the H5N1 avian flu virus.
Proper cooking of poultry will kill the H5N1 avian flu
virus.
What is the Department of Defense doing to pro-
tect service members from the H5N1 avian flu virus
should it change (“mutate”) to spread from person to
person?
The H5N1 avian flu virus is not present in the
United States, and does not pass easily from person to
person. However, as a precaution our military com-
mands are planning for the appropriate response to an
outbreak of H5N1 avian flu in this country or near our
installations overseas. The DoD will store anti-viral
medications (Tamiflu and Relenza) and vaccines as
they become available. There is also a DoD Global
, tips to stay healthy
The Naval Hospital is converting to a Clinic this
June. During that time we are committed to keep-
ing you apprised of ongoing information relating
to your Healthcare.
During transition times, there will no doubt
be questions. If you should have any concerns or
questions relating to the approaching conversion
or with any Healthcare issue you can send in you
inquiry to, “Ask the NASKEF Hospital PAO” via
e-mail pao@keflO.med.navy.mil and a majority
of questions will be answered in this column.
Influenza Surveillance Program, which provides
worldwide surveillance of influenza threats.
Protocol for consumption of poultry and poultry
products:
All poultry products available in the commissary
are from approved, commercial sources.
Separate raw meat from cooked or ready-to-eat
foods. Do not use the same chopping board or the
same knife for preparing raw meat and cooked or
ready-to-eat foods.
Do not handle either raw or cooked foods without
washing your hands in between.
Do not place cooked meat back on the same plate or
surface it was on before it was cooked.
All foods from poultry, including eggs and poultry
blood, should be cooked thoroughly. Egg yolks should
not be runny or liquid. Because influenza viruses are
destroyed by heat, the cooking temperature for poultry
meat should reach 70°C (158°F).
Wash egg shells in soapy water before handling and
cooking, and wash your hands afterwards.
Do not use raw or soft-boiled eggs in foods that will
not be cooked.
After handling raw poultry or eggs, wash your
hands and all surfaces and utensils thoroughly with
soap and water.
Avian influenza is not a food borne illness. Cooking
kills the H5N1 virus that causes avian influenza.
Precautions for U. S. citizens living in areas with
identified avian influenza in birds and/or humans
(Europe included):
Travelers should avoid all contact with poultry (e.g.,
chickens, ducks, geese, pigeons, turkeys, and quail)
or any wild birds, and avoid settings where H5N1-
infected poultry may be present, such as commercial
or backyard poultry farms and live poultry markets.
MaKing TracKs f ^
Icelandic Fishing
Story by J02 Travis D. Eisclc
Iceland is a country that has traditionally had
strong ties to the sea and fishing.
There are many opportunities for people here that
enjoy fishing because of the excellent fisheries, con-
servation efforts and expertise of the population in
commercial and recreational fishing.
Ocean, lake and river fishing are all available
depending on the season.
Many companies all throughout the island offer
Ocean fishing, but there are many located in nearby
towns that are easily accessible by visiting tourist
web sites, the USO here or the Morale, Welfare and
Recreation Tour Office.
These companies typically offer you your licensing
to fish for that day, fishing gear, fish cleaning and the
fish you catch for your fee, which varies according to
Arctic Outfitters rents fishing gear for daily,
two-day or weekly excursions.
the company used.
For river and lake fishing, most locations will have
an office or point of contact to call to purchase a fish-
ing permit. Some may also have gear to rent.
The MWR Tour Office suggests that those interested
in river or lake fishing either come to their office and
receive their assistance in getting infonnation or visit
www.nat.is, which has a fishing section that you can
consult to find the names and phone numbers of local
lake and river fishing offices where you can purchase
your permit and find information about the site.
For people who do not have their own gear, there is
always the Arctic Outfitters.
People can rent fishing equipment for daily, two-day
and weekly rates.
Another option for people is to purchase their
own gear at the Navy Exchange, which stocks up
on fishing gear every spring to meet the demands
March 2, 2006
Page 14
The White Falcon