What travel precautions are being taken?
CDC, WHO or PHAC Health Alerts
The CDC and PHAC may provide travel restriction to countries with cases of pandemic flu. Since
pandemic flu situations can change at any moment, check the CDC alert site at
http://www.cdc.gov/travel/diseases.htm, the WHO International Travel and Health alerts at
http://www.who.int/ith/updates/2009_04_28/en/index.html or the PHAC alert site at http://www.phacaspc.gc.ca/tmp-pmv/2006/h5n1060112_e.html
prior to any travel.
Quarantine
Pandemic flu can be quarantinable communicable diseases under the U.S. Public Health Service Act.
As the risk for pandemic flu rises, the list will likely be updated. The most recent U.S. Executive Order on
quarantinable diseases can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/executiveorder040403.htm.
PHAC, under its Quarantine and Migration Health Program (QMHP), is responsible for implementing the
Canadian Quarantine Act and Regulations. Additional information on the QMHP can be found at:
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/cepr-cmiu/ophs-bssp/quar_e.html.
Many levels of government (federal, provincial, state and local) have basic authority to compel isolation of
sick persons to protect the public. In the event that it is necessary to compel isolation of a sick
passenger, CDC and PHAC will work with appropriate state, provincial and local officials to ensure that
the passenger does not infect others.
Outlook on Pandemic Influenza
Health authorities around the world are watching closely so that they may respond promptly in the
identification and reporting of suspect cases. The World Health Organization will issue a Global Alert
should the need arise.
Where can I learn more?
Updated information on pandemic flu is available on the following web sites:
International
• World Health Organization (WHO) -
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/updates/en/index.html.
• WHO Pandemic Preparedness -
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/influenza/pandemic/en/index.html
• European Influenza Surveillance Scheme - http://www.eiss.org/index.cgi
Canada
• Canada - http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/influenza/pandemic_e.html
United States
• Official U.S. government website on Pandemic and Avian Influenzas -
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/
• Centers for Disease Control (CDC) - http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/fluactivity.htm
Preparation Checklist
• http://www.nfpa.org/
• NFPA 1600 – Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business
Continuity Programs
• NFPA 1500 – Standard on FD Occupational Safety and Health Program
• NFPA 1561 – Standard on Emergency Services Incident Management System
• NFPA 1999 – Standard on Protective Clothing for Emergency Medical Operations
• http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/statelocalchecklist.html
• http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/businesschecklist.html
• http://www2.cdc.gov/od/fluaid/default.htm#Sectiona
Glossary
A
acute: Sudden onset, short course. May also refer to intensity or severity.
aerosolized respiratory secretions: Liquid droplets, suspended in air that arise from coughing or sneezing.
Aerosolized respiratory secretions are responsible for the transmission of tuberculosis, and are one of the
major modes of influenza transmission.
Amantadine (Symmetrel): Antiviral medication for treatment and prophylaxis of adults and children >1
year old with influenza type A virus exposure. It is not effective against influenza type B.
antibodies: Proteins produced by the immune system secreted into the blood or lymph system in
response to an antigenic stimulus, e.g. bacterium, virus, parasite, and neutralizes the antigen by binding
to it.
antigen: Any substance that elicits an response from the body's immune system to produce antibodies
against it. An antigen may be a foreign substance, e.g. chemicals, bacteria, viruses or pollen.
Antigenic drift: Gradual minor change (mutation) in the genetic makeup of influenza A and B strains that
result in changes in the hemagglutinin (H) or neuraminidase (N) proteins found on the viral surface. The
ongoing changes of H and N are the causes of annual epidemics and need for new influenza vaccine
each year.
Antigenic shift: A reassortment of influenza A genes resulting in a major change in the H and N proteins.
Because very few people are immunized against such a novel strain of virus, antigenic shift may be
associated with a pandemic.
Avian Flu: A group of influenza viruses that primarily infect birds, but on rare occasion may infect other
animals such as pigs or humans.
C
CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention): A United States government agency that seeks to
promote health and quality of life by preventing and controlling disease, injury, and disability.