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Possibility discussed of Alaska�s exposure to avian flu 
Thursday, April 13, 2006 - by Sean Doogan
Anchorage, Alaska - The annual migration of millions of birds from Asia is coming, and with them, a potentially deadly strain of avian flu. Today in Anchorage, federal and state health officials began preparing for an Alaskan appearance of the H5N1 strain of avian flu.

Alaska is on the frontlines of the avian flu watch for North America. Today, rural Alaska residents and state officials began working with federal health experts to get ready for what could be the unwelcome visitor.

Federal and state health officials gathered in Anchorage today to prepare for millions of annual visitors to Alaska. But the visitors could bring with them a deadly disease: the H5N1 strain of bird flu.

�Our game plan in 2006 is to test 75,000 to 100,000 wildfowl here in the United States with efforts very much concentrated here in Alaska,� said U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Deputy Secretary Alex Azar.
Some rural residents say they should also participate in spring bird tests, which are slated for more than 10 locations throughout the state.
Some rural residents say they should also participate in spring bird tests, which are slated for more than 10 locations throughout the state.
�We don't have enough hospital capacity in this state and particularly in the village areas if we were to have a pandemic,� said Karleen Jackson (left), the commissioner of the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services.

They�re taking heed of what happened here during an outbreak of Spanish flu, another avian disease, which took place almost 90 years ago.

�Part of what happened in 1918 is that there was nobody left in the villages to take care of the people that were sick. And so, we need people who can keep airplanes flying, can keep heating oil coming into villages,� Jackson said.
Since the H5N1 strain does not easily transfer from birds to people. Only 193 people have so far been infected with the disease and it�s estimated to be carried by millions of birds worldwide.

For now the message is simple, especially for rural Alaska residents. �Be very careful around wildfowl. Take proper precautions when you�re hunting, when you�re cleaning them,� said Azar (right).
Health officials say Alaska, on the frontlines of the North American battlefront over bird flu, could likely provide the answer. 
The State of Alaska has created a comprehensive Web site about avian flu, including information on what you should do if you come across a dead or sick bird.

KTUU.com | Alaska's news and information source

I tried copying and pasting addition info,but the lettering came out black. Click on the above link for the rest of the story.