Tracking the next pandemic: Avian Flu Talk |
The Next 2 Weeks |
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Posted: March 30 2006 at 4:21am |
March 29, 2006
"To date, H5N1 has never been found in Alaska or anywhere in North America, and there is no evidence that anyone, anywhere has caught it from a wild bird," said Matt Robus, Fish & Game's Director of the Division of Wildlife Conservation. "At this point, there is no need to stop hunting and eating wild birds in Alaska. We are working closely with federal, state, and local officials to ensure that if the Asian H5N1 flu virus makes its way to Alaska, that it is detected early." Robus, Department of Environmental Conservation's State Veterinarian Bob Gerlach, and Department of Health and Social Services' Public Health Director Dr. Mandsager each spoke regarding steps their departments are taking to detect and respond to any appearance of Asian H5N1 avian flu in Alaska. With the first migratory birds expected to arrive in the state within the next two weeks, Fish & Game and federal wildlife agencies are continuing to monitor migrating birds for the virus. Fish & Game, in conjunction with its federal partners, has published informational materials and provided information on the State interagency website regarding the Asian H5N1 avian flu, how to report sick or dead birds, and steps that hunters and subsistence food gatherers can take to protect themselves while in the field or while handling wild birds and game. Both Environmental Conservation and Fish & Game officials gave warnings regarding boiling water, or properly washing berries, bird eggs or other vegetation for human consumption that may have been contaminated by bird droppings. They also stressed the need to cook meat all the way through to 165 degrees F (or until the juices run clear) to protect against all bacteria and viruses. Environmental Conservation is educating the public on how individuals can protect domestic birds - from backyard poultry flocks to parrots. Dr.Gerlach described symptoms to look for and what to do if Alaskans suspect they have a sick bird. "Bird owners are the first line of defense to protect their birds from avian influenza," Gerlach said. Dr. Gerlach recommends that any sick birds be isolated immediately and access to the related flock be restricted. "If you find a sick or dead bird, and no obvious cause is apparent, do not touch it." Dr. Gerlach stated. Instead, call 1-866-5brdflu (1-866-527-3358). "The DEC Environmental Health laboratory is obtaining approval from USDA to test bird samples for Avian Influenza so that we can test samples as soon as April," said Kristin Ryan, Director of the Division of Environmental Health. "It is essential that a facility in Alaska has the capacity to test bird sample results so we can quickly identify threats and protect public health." Departments of Fish and Game and Environmental Conservation are working with the Division of Public Health to prepare to respond to possible detection of Asian H5N1 avian flu in Alaska. Public Health has established a resource and referral phone line to have a single point of contact to respond to public health questions and concerns regarding human health concerns or planning for pandemic flu. The Division of Public Health is planning for a potential flu pandemic if Asian H5N1 avian flu becomes transmittable between humans. "No one knows for sure when the next pandemic may strike or whether or not it will be related to the current Asian H5N1 avian flu virus," Dr. Mandsager said. "Now is the right time to plan for the complex issues and serious impacts that a new influenza pandemic could cause in Alaska. The more Alaskans who understand the issues and participate in the planning Ρό whether it is at the personal, community or state level Ρό the better off we all will be should a pandemic or another disaster strike." More information regarding the avian flu and pandemic flu is available at a single location, provided by all three departments to ensure consistent information is available to Alaskans: www.pandemicflu.alaska.gov or www.avianflu.alaska.gov. To report dead or sick birds, where no obvious cause is apparent, call the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hotline at 1-866-5-BRDFLU (1-866-527-3358). The Public Health pandemic flu phone line will be operational Thursday, March 30, and will be 1-888-9Panflu (1-888-972-6358). Anchorage residents can call the local line: (907) 334-2292. |
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To report dead or sick birds, where no obvious cause is apparent, call the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hotline at 1-866-5-BRDFLU (1-866-527-3358). The Public Health pandemic flu phone line will be operational Thursday, March 30, and will be 1-888-9Panflu (1-888-972-6358). Anchorage residents can call the local line: (907) 334-2292. fact and file this..we now have numbers to call
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the birds are all on the move now.
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It's abit like waiting for that fog in the Steven King thriller!!!
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Trident/Delta
Valued Member Joined: March 15 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 344 |
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I am working form my home today. It seems I have the flu. While sitting in my den, reading posts, I looked up to see a seagull out in the cornfield next to my house. Such a site isn't all that unusual in Minnesota, what with all the lakes and all. But it suddenly struck me that there may be a transmission vector that we have not thought about. Seagulls don't seem to follow conventional flyways. They "hitch rides" on ships and generally migrate unchecked.
This is one of those things that makes you go Hmmmm.....
So I am led to wonder if Seagulls can have H5N1.
Hmmmmm...................
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chargingbear
V.I.P. Member Joined: March 22 2006 Status: Offline Points: 398 |
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What the ? you mean russia was wrong to stop the hunting of ducks and geese last month? http://www.mosnews.com/news/2006/03/14/birdhunt.shtml and we in the U$A knows better then russia that has lots of experances in Major League outbreaks there? |
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hey thats me 130th row seat 42...lol....
oh p.s for all of you the are bird savvy please read in Canada post I have some birds back here and don,t know what they are
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It seems that each day I read articles about when to expect BF in birds in the US, it gets shorter and shorter. Yesterday, an article stated it was going to be 3 weeks (prior to that it was next year, this fall, this summer, and this spring). Now, this article states it will be 2 weeks. At this rate, by the end of the week they will be announcing that it has been here for over a month!
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MissRX
Valued Member Joined: February 03 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 80 |
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Sniffles - Lol. Its not funny, but you're probably very right. They probably will announce that its been here for over a month!! I wouldn't be one bit suprised.
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"The more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war"
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When to stop the continuous "last minute" preparations/ When to wear the mask for the first time to work? When will the fuel for vehicles run out and I can't get to work? Yes, Sniffles time is closing in on all of us. |
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outsidethecamp
V.I.P. Member Joined: February 16 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 361 |
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All I can say is continue to watch this forum closely. You're far more likely to get true up-to-date info here than you are from the mainstream media.
As prepped as I can be, & as scared as I can be... Peggy |
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Capricornmonkey
Valued Member Joined: March 13 2006 Status: Offline Points: 47 |
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And that's the truth!! We will likely get the word here first. Shaking in my boots.
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March to your own drummer.
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Amethyst
Valued Member Joined: March 14 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 203 |
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Yeah, you're probably right. They'll find something in Alaska soon, I'll bet.
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Amethyst
Valued Member Joined: March 14 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 203 |
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If everyone is getting sick, I'd opt to work from home rather than attempt to go in. You could still pick up the virus from touching doorknobs and things like that.
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Thank you outsidethecamp and CapricornMonkey, I am glued to this site and postings. Amethyst you're right about the door nobs. Even the bathroom door is opened with a towel I toss in the can. As the Manager I need to be at work, I have the outter Gown, Hair Cover, Shoe Covers, Gloves, Masks, Goggles, and Purell Germ Killer. Yes, any store manager would love me to walk in and shop. I even have these items in my car for the first announcement of H2H in East Texas.
I just worry about the folks who don't take preventive actions becoming victims of the States' lack of preparations and missing public educational "you're-on-your-own" announcements.
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Amethyst
Valued Member Joined: March 14 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 203 |
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Yeah. A lot of people aren't going to prep for various reasons. I worry about my parents because they blindly trust the govt., but they can take care of themselves. I'm pretty sure they'd head up to the cabin if TSHTF. But as for having necessary supplies when they go, probably not. They're not preppers. I just hope the bird flu won't be in the small town where their cabin is by then.
I suspect it's probably less likely to be in really small towns (I'm talking about populations of less than 200) right away because the people there are less likely to travel widely and come into contact with sick folks, but you never know. A lot of people from the metro area will probably be traveling up north if TSHTF too. My parents know quite a few back roads, thank goodness. |
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