A powerful new strain of avian influenza is spreading rapidly towards North America.
Not to be confused with the common human influenza, this new strain, named H5N1, has already hit Asian and European countries, and American officials are bracing for a possible outbreak. The World Health Organization (WHO) website predicts that the virus may be transported west by migratory birds, especially waterfowl.
Small outbreaks of less potent avian flu strains usually occur worldwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. However, H5N1 is a particularly powerful strain, capable of rapid mutation using genes from different viruses found in its host. Currently, humans can only pick up the virus through direct contact with fowl bodily fluids; properly cooked poultry poses no threat. In addition, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website stresses that there is no guarantee this strain of avian flu will reach the United States.
Students need to avoid the common human flu as well. If H5N1 were to interact with the common flu in a human host, the virus could mutate much more quickly and acquire the ability to move human-to-human, not simply avian-to-human.
VCCCD Colleges are already preparing in case H5N1 does spread. According to the VCCCD Safety Committee minutes for the Sept. 28 meeting, the Ventura County Health Department has requested that Moorpark College be a disaster center in case of an H5N1 pandemic. Furthermore, all three colleges are signed up to be mass immunization centers. As for common influenza, each college orders flu vaccinations yearly, to be made available to students and employees during flu season. Although Ventura and Oxnard colleges have run out of vaccinations for this year, students and employees may still purchase vaccinations from the Health Center at Moorpark College for $15 each.
“We still have a good supply,” said Sharon Manakas, Health Coordinator at Moorpark College.
Students can prevent all types of flu by washing hands often, getting regular exercise, eating healthy meals, and getting plenty of rest, added Manakas.
As opposed to common influenza, H5N1 poses a new threat to humans because the human immune system has no resistance to H5N1. If the virus mutates to allow human-to-human transfer, scientists fear a worldwide pandemic, especially in today’s world of rapid global travel. The “Ten Things You Need To Know About Pandemic Influenza” article, put out by the WHO, predicts that all countries would experience outbreaks of the virus within three months of a mutation.
The WHO’s most recently updated Confirmed Cases of Avian Influenza A(H5N1) report states that H5N1 has infected 126 humans so far and caused 64 deaths. Governments across Asia, Europe, and Africa have initiated public awareness plans and slaughtered hundreds of thousands of birds to prevent further infection. In addition, the European Union has banned imports on birds from countriess with recent outbreaks.
On Oct. 27, the U. S. Senate approved $8 billion to stockpile vaccines and anti-viral drugs. In addition, on Nov. 1, President Bush announced plans to ask Congress for $7.1 billion prepare for a possible epidemic.
However, the situation is complex. According to the CDC, the primary anti-viral medications may not work against this particular influenza strain. In addition, even a working vaccine would not be available for distribution for at least 12 months. Further complicating the issue, such widespread use of these drugs could produce a new strain of “invincible” flu, which would be resistant to the anti-viral drugs, as has happened with past strains.
