Board of Health

Public Health Flu Fact Sheet

What Is Avian (Bird) Flu?

Avian (or bird) flu is an infection of birds caused by a virus that is different from viruses that cause the flu in people. In birds, the infection may be severe, mild or cause no disease at all. People get infected with bird flu only very rarely (usually only after very close contact with infected birds) and the infection does not pass from person-to-person.

What Is Pandemic Flu?

Approximately every 20-40 years, a new strain of the flu virus appears which is very different from the ordinary seasonal flu virus. Because most people do not have immunity to this new strain of flu virus, it can spread to many people, across the world, over a short period of time. Existing types of vaccines will not prevent people from getting this new type of flu, and a vaccine to prevent illness from the new strain typically takes 5-6 months to develop, long after a pandemic begins. The most recent flu pandemics occurred in 1889-90, 1918, 1957 and 1968. Another pandemic may occur at any time. Flu illness during pandemics is similar to the flu that occurs every year, but pandemics can start at any time during the year, not just the typical “winter flu” season.

Should I Worry About A Flu Pandemic?

Pandemic flu is a serious concern for everyone because a pandemic can be very disruptive and put a great deal of stress on health care, distribution systems and social order. A pandemic is a rare event, but it can occur at any time.

How Can I Protect Others And Myself From Pandemic Flu?

You can protect yourself and others from pandemic flu the same way as you can protect yourself from seasonal flu. Wet droplets spread pandemic flu. Wash your hands often with soap and warm water, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid touching your nose, mouth or eyes. Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Never cough in the direction of someone else. Cough or sneeze into a tissue or the inside of your elbow. Clean things that are touched often like door handles, telephones, etc. Avoid holding, hugging, kissing, or shaking hands with anyone who has a cold or the flu.

For more information about seasonal flu, pandemic flu or avian flu, please visit the websites listed below or contact the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology and Immunization at 617-983-6800.

Web Site Resources

Massachusetts Department Of Public Health Website On Influenza: http://www.mass.gov/dph/cdc/epii/flu/flu1.htm
Federal Government Website For Information On Pandemic And Avian Flu: http://pandemicflu.gov
Center For Disease Control (CDC) Websites On Pandemic And Avian Flu: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian and http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic
US Department Of Agriculture Website On Avian Flu: http://www.usda.gov/birdflu
World Health Organization (WHO) Website On Avian Flu: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/index.html

posted: April 6, 2006