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Red Cross: Prepare for bird flu

Organization advises to stock up on water, food; central Illinois could see virus as early as September

Sunday, July 9, 2006

BY CLARE HOWARD

OF THE JOURNAL STAR

"Health organizations all over the world are watchful for the spread. This virus is mutating so fast. No one knows, but the theory behind pandemic is that this is a whole new flu strain and everyone is vulnerable," said Anne Fox, chief executive officer of American Red Cross Central Illinois Chapter.

"Without sending an alarm, no one knows how widespread disruptions will be. Maybe transportation will be affected. Maybe it will impact supply lines.

"We need to be prepared to be self-sustaining as a community. In a normal disaster, people help each other. That may not be possible during a pandemic flu."

Normally, the Red Cross recommends households have three days of supplies. With the threat of pandemic flu and possible interruption of basic services, the Red Cross is recommending up to three weeks of supplies including food, water

and medicine.

"We're told to expect the flu to strike in waves at about six-week intervals," Fox said, noting that 40 percent of the population could be sick or absent from work caring for sick family members.

American Red Cross Central Illinois Chapter covers six counties with 385,000 people. The organization is planning for illness and absenteeism to affect up to 160,000 people in the region.

Alyssa Pollock, disaster preparedness coordinator with American Red Cross Central Illinois Chapter, said, "We plan for bulk feeding, but we're not sure of our own supply chain. Plan A means all grocery stores are operational. Plan B means we deliver food. Plan C coordinates with restaurants."

Both Fox and Pollock encourage individual households to prepare with stockpiled water, food and medicine.

Red Cross volunteer Jean Larke is a disaster preparedness specialist and knows how disrupted supply lines and quarantines affect households. She has instructed her granddaughter Emily Larke, 16, that in the event of avian flu pandemic, both patient and caregiver should wear face masks to cut down on disease transmission.

"Have a minimum supply of 14 days of food and medications. Besides prescriptions, we have Tylenol, Chloraseptic, Robitussin, Tums, Imodium for diarrhea and thermometers," she said.

She also has a recipe for an electrolyte drink like Gatorade in the event vomiting and diarrhea result in dehydration.

"Dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea is part of avian flu. You need to replace those fluids," Larke said. "Prepare so you don't have to go to the grocery store. People go to grocery stores even when they feel sick, so that becomes a place for disease transmission."

Disposable gloves, antibacterial soap and disinfectant hand wipes also are recommended for supplies at home, the car and the workplace.

Fox suggests people get into the habit now of extra hand washing. Disease transmission can be from handshakes, door knobs, telephones, pens at grocery stores or doctor sign-in forms, computers, car door handles and gas station pumps.

"Keep hands off your eyes, nose and lips. Practice good hygiene, and be aware of precautions," Fox said. "Proper hand washing means soap between fingers, back of hands and under fingernails for a period as long as it takes to sing 'Happy Birthday.' Use the paper towel to turn off the faucet and open the door.

"We are teaching people to be observers. Watch for the glass of water served with fingers over the top of the glass. Just be more aware of what you touch and what you put in your mouth."

The Red Cross recommends a gallon of water a day per person and per pet. Stock nonperishable food, canned goods and a hand-operated can opener in the event of power outages.

People in other countries have routinely used face masks, even when they walk in public, but Americans have resisted. However, health officials here now warn face masks should be part of supplies in preparation for flu pandemic.

The Red Cross and other central Illinois health organizations have worked for more than a year on emergency plans for dealing with avian flu pandemic. The operative phrase is "not if but when."

Avian flu has a high mortality rate, but the unknowns about this disease are as disturbing as the documented statistics. The virus is mutating so rapidly, medical authorities are on heightened alert for the first U.S. cases.

According to statistics compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in early July, there were 229 confirmed cases of avian flu worldwide and 131 fatalities, a mortality rate of 57 percent.

Dr. Thembi Conner-Garcia, internist with Methodist Medical Center, said if pandemic flu hits central Illinois, she recommends people stay at home if possible, even if they are not sick.

"If you are not needed at work, stay home," she said.

The earlier in the season the flu strikes, the more prolonged and severe it is expected to be. If it is late winter before outbreaks occur, it's expected to be short lived and give scientists time next summer to formulate a vaccine.

So far, transmission has been primarily from birds to humans, but Conner-Garcia said at least one documented case in Asia was traced from child to mother.

Dr. William Scott, assistant clinical professor at the University of Illinois and medical director of the Center for Occupational Health at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, said, "My expectation is we are susceptible to a pandemic situation. It is possible and probable. When and where and how intense is speculation, but it is foolish to think we are immune."

Peoria City/County Health Department has information on the virus on its Web site and will track the progression and post critical information for the public.

"All of us in emergency preparedness look at our national complacency. We are so blessed to have what we do, and we don't think this could happen here. But on Sept. 10, no one anticipated Sept. 11. With Hurricane Katrina, people did not react even with one week's notice. Try to use those terrible emergencies. Don't think this (flu pandemic) couldn't happen here," said R. Jason Marks, emergency preparedness coordinator with the health department.

The Red Cross is working with area businesses on emergency planning.

Debra Sheehan, vice president of human resources at CEFCU, said the credit union is planning for the worst-case scenario with up to 40 percent of its work force out sick. That is unprecedented, she said.

CEFCU employees in noncritical areas will be reassigned to essential jobs, she said. The focus is to maintain service without interruption. The credit union headquarters near the Greater Peoria Regional Airport has backup electric generation in the event of power outages, she said.

Sheehan said CEFCU is investigating the contingency plans its vendors have formulated.

"We need to be sure cash is supplied to our ATMs," she said.

Fox said, "This is bigger than any one agency can handle. This could be our worst flu season since 1918, but there is a lot individuals can do themselves to be prepared and be self-sustaining."

For more information about avian flu pandemic, go to www.pcchd.org, www.pandemicflu.gov or www.redcrossillinois.org.