Contagious Disease
Health emergencies may occur naturally (more likely) or as the result of intentional actions by a person or persons who wish to harm others. Each health emergency will differ in the population of people affected, the number of people affected, and the type and severity of illness in the affected persons.
Many health emergencies are the result of infectious diseases. Infectious diseases are caused by microbes, including bacteria, viruses, fungi or protozoa. To cause disease, a microbe must enter a person's body. Though there are multiple methods for microbes to enter the body, the most frequent routes of microbe entry are through the lungs, ingestion, mucous membranes (eyes, nose or mouth), and contact with injured skin. Typically, when a microbe enters a person's body, the person's immune system works to fight it off and prevent infection. If the immune system is unsuccessful and the microbe encounters an environment favorable for growth, the person will likely develop an infection. Types of viral illnesses that may be considered health emergencies, depending on the situation, include influenza (flu), measles, SARS, West Nile Virus, and an intentional release of smallpox. Types of bacterial illness that may be considered health emergencies include bacterial meningitis, botulism (caused by a bacterial toxin), and anthrax. Bacterial illness can usually be successfully treated with antibiotics. Some microbes can be spread from person to person while others require direct contact with the primary source.
Other types of health emergencies could be related to non-infectious processes, such as chemicals, radiation or natural disasters. For more information about health emergencies and emergency response, contact the local disaster preparedness department of your city.
What to do during a health emergency:
- Don't panic. Listen to radio and television reports to learn what actions have been recommended.
- Stay home until directed to do otherwise by officials.
- If you need immediate medical attention for a life threatening emergency, call 911.
What About Bird Flu?
Ahough the Center for Disease Control (CDC) states that "The current risk to Americans from the H5N1 bird flu outbreak in
Asia
is low," many cities are identifying a plan to ensure the citizens are prepared for a potential outbreak.
Flu Terms Defined
Seasonal (or common) flu is a respiratory illness that can be transmitted person to person. Most people have some immunity, and a vaccine is available.
Avian (or bird) flu is caused by influenza viruses that occur naturally among wild birds. The H5N1 variant is deadly to domestic fowl and can be transmitted from birds to humans. There is no human immunity and no vaccine is available.
Pandemic flu is virulent human flu that causes a global outbreak, or pandemic, of serious illness. Because there is little natural immunity, the disease can spread easily from person to person. Currently, there is no pandemic flu.
What's Happening Now?
A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. A flu pandemic occurs when a new influenza virus emerges for which people have little or no immunity, and for which there is no vaccine. The disease spreads easily person-to-person, causes serious illness, and can sweep across the country and around the world in very short time.
It is difficult to predict when the next influenza pandemic will occur or how severe it will be. Wherever and whenever a pandemic starts, everyone around the world is at risk. Countries might, through measures such as border closures and travel restrictions, delay arrival of the virus, but cannot stop it.
Health professionals are concerned that the continued spread of a highly pathogenic avian H5N1 virus across eastern
Asia
and other countries represents a significant threat to human health. The H5N1 virus has raised concerns about a potential human pandemic because:
- It is especially virulent
- It is being spread by migratory birds
- It can be transmitted from birds to mammals and in some limited circumstances to humans, and
- Like other influenza viruses, it continues to evolve.
Since 2003, a growing number of human H5N1 cases have been reported in
Azerbaijan
,
Cambodia
,
China
,
Djibouti
,
Egypt
,
Indonesia
,
Iraq
,
Thailand
,
Turkey
, and
Vietnam
. More than half of the people infected with the H5N1 virus have died. Most of these cases are all believed to have been caused by exposure to infected poultry. There has been no sustained human-to-human transmission of the disease, but the concern is that H5N1 will evolve into a virus capable of human-to-human transmission.
What would be the Impact of a Pandemic?
A pandemic may come and go in waves, each of which can last for six to eight weeks.
An especially severe influenza pandemic could lead to high levels of illness, death, social disruption, and economic loss. Everyday life would be disrupted because so many people in so many places become seriously ill at the same time. Impacts can range from school and business closings to the interruption of basic services such as public transportation and food delivery.
How are we preparing?
The
United States
has been working closely with other countries and the World Health Organization (WHO) to strengthen systems to detect outbreaks of influenza that might cause a pandemic.
The effects of a pandemic can be lessened if preparations are made ahead of time. Planning and preparation information and checklists are being prepared for various sectors of society, including information for individuals and families.
HHS and other federal agencies are providing funding, advice, and other support to your state to assist with pandemic planning and preparation. Information on state/federal planning and cooperation, including links to state pandemic plans, is available on this site.
The federal government will provide up-to-date information and guidance to the public through the public media and this web site should an influenza pandemic unfold.
See PandemicFlu.gov for updates.
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