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Doctors: Pandemic Flu Coming: Local Health Officials Are Preparing

Posted on: Tuesday, 9 May 2006, 09:03 CDT

By Brandy Brubaker, The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va.

May 9--Many physicians believe a pandemic flu is coming, according to a new national survey, and local officials are getting ready.

The survey of 656 doctors, conducted by New Jersey-based HCD Research in April, found that more than half believed avian bird flu will achieve human transmission within four years in the United States.

In West Virginia, local health department officials agree that the United States is due for a pandemic flu, although they say it might not necessarily be bird flu.

Shelley Martin, of the Monongalia County Health Department, said some kind of pandemic flu is coming.

"It's when, not if, but we can't predict when it will occur," Martin said.

Pandemic means an outbreak of a new virus that would quickly spread from country to country, continent to continent, and, eventually, across the globe.

Because people would often have little or no immunity to the new strain, the transmission would be fast and often deadly.

In the 20th century, three pandemic flus struck the world -- in 1918, 1957 and 1968.

In preparation for the next rash, health departments in Monongalia, Marion and Preston counties, along with others throughout the state and country, are trying to spread the word on how to not spread the virus.

"We need to be prepared on our own," Martin said. "If pandemic flu occurs, it will occur at many places at one time."

Tammy Hare, of the Marion County Health Department, said it's important for people to know what they are dealing with in the event a pandemic flu strikes.

"If you're prepared and understand what's going on, you will be ready," Hare said.

If pandemic flu hits, it will hit hard, Hare said.

A brochure being compiled by Marion County agencies predicts that a new strain of pandemic flu would afflict 90 million people in the United States and cause 2 million deaths.

Of West Virginia's 1.8 million residents, 542,000 could become sick and nearly 11,000 could die.

Many believe avian bird flu will be the most likely cause of the next pandemic flu outbreak.

Bird flu is spread mostly from bird tobird, although more than 200 people have contracted the virus through direct contact with birds, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

More than half of those people died.

All confirmed cases of bird flu in humans have been reported in Asian or African countries, mostly in rural areas where families keep close quarters with flocks of chickens.

If the virus mutates into a strain that spreads from person to person, it could quickly infect people throughout the world.

Denise Knoebel, of the Preston County Health Department, said health officials are keeping a close eye on the situation -- with frequent calls to local doctors' offices and schools.

When many patients present similar symptoms or many students fall ill at school, the health department will spot a trend.

"These actions put us in a much better position to react to pandemic flu," Knoebel said.

WVU also is getting on board with early education and prevention. The university is hosting a brainstorming session this week for WVU officials and health care professionals. Chris Martin, vice president for Institutional Advancement, said pandemic flu would be felt at any large institution. "It will be a problem," Chris Martin said. Shelley Martin said people should be aware. "But we don't want them to be alarmed or panicked," she said. Marion County Health Department recommends the following for prevention of any flu: Wash hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Cover your mouth when you cough. Cover your nose when you sneeze. Avoid large crowds when possible Don't go to work when ill. Don't send children to school or day care when they are ill. Avoid close contact with sick people. Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly.

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va.

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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Source: The Dominion Post (Morgantown, W.Va.)

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