Avian Influenza and Public Health Policy

Paper Summary:

This paper offers an overview of the problem of avian flu and discusses the history of pandemics, including a brief but comprehensive history of the pandemic of 1918. The paper also describes the current public health policies associated with avian flu and looks at the plans to reduce the spread of the disease with isolation/quarantine policies and medication and vaccination. Also discussed are the policies regarding communication and dissemination of information policies to the public if or when a flu pandemic event is threatened or imminent.

Outline:
Chapter 1: Introduction
Chapter 2: Avian Flu History
Chapter 3: Limiting the Spread of a Pandemic
Chapter 4: Conclusion

From the Paper:

"It is a common understanding among scientists concerned with disease epidemiology, prevention and public safety that pandemics in recorded human history are linked in some way to avian flu viruses and outbreaks. This understanding is based upon reconstructions of historical events associated with the detection, spread, onset and outcome of pandemics in the past. Transmission of viruses between birds and humans is not usually direct but occurs through secondary sources, though with H5N1, transmission form bird to human is possible and likely, which explains and validates the current response of the slaughtering and burning flocks of poultry that are known to be infected. (Miller, 2006, p. 79) What is believed is that avian viruses infect swine and or other animals concurrently with human viruses and then the avian virus mutates to become a virus that can be contracted by humans. (Oldstone, 2000, p. 183-184)"

Sample of Sources Used:

• Fabian, N. (2006). H5N1: A Special Report-What Is the Threat and Why Should the Environmental Health Profession Be Concerned?. Journal of Environmental Health, 68(6), 46.
• Homeland Security Council (July, 2007) National Strategy For Pandemic Influenza: Implementation Plan One Year Summary. Available for download at http://www.whitehouse.gov/homeland/pandemic-influenza-oneyear.html
• Izakson, O. (2003, May/June). Measuring Risk: Vaccines Save Lives, but Also Cause Health Problems. E, 14, 40.
• Mascie-Taylor, N., Peters, J., & Mcgarvey, S. T. (Eds.). (2004). The Changing Face of Disease: Implications for Society. Boca Raton, FL: Routledge.
• Miller, H. I. (2006, Summer). Dee-Fense! Dee-Fense!: Preparing for Pandemic Flu; Federal Research, Economic Incentives for Industry, and a More Responsive Regulatory Regime Will All Be Necessary to Produce a Timely and Widely Available Vaccine. Issues in Science and Technology, 22, 79.

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