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Trying to head off pandemic panic, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has created a common-sense influenza pandemic planning guide for individuals and families.

HHS releases pandemic guide for citizens, families

January 2, 2015

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HHS releases pandemic guide for citizens, families

H5N1 has 20% fatality rate in Turkey

Trying to head off pandemic panic, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has created a common-sense influenza pandemic planning guide for individuals and families. The document is available on the web at www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/pdf/guide.pdf.

"This guide is designed to help you understand the threat of a pandemic flu outbreak in our country and your community," the HHS states. "It describes common-sense actions that you can take in preparing for a pandemic. Each individual and family should know both the magnitude of what can happen during a pandemic outbreak and what actions you can take to help lessen the impact of an influenza pandemic on you and your community."

The "prepare now" component includes a planning checklist which includes the following:

  • Store a supply of water and food. During a pandemic, if you cannot get to a store, or if stores are out of supplies, it will be important for you to have extra supplies on hand. This can be useful in other types of emergencies, such as power outages and disasters.
  • Ask your doctor and insurance company if you can get an extra supply of your regular prescription drugs.
  • Have any nonprescription drugs and other health supplies on hand, including pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes, and vitamins.
  • Talk with family members and loved ones about how they would be cared for if they got sick, or what will be needed to care for them in your home.
  • Volunteer with local groups to prepare and assist with emergency response.
  • Get involved in your community as it works to prepare for an influenza pandemic.

Ominous genetic shift in Turkey

Meanwhile, a genetic analysis of an H5N1 avian flu virus that infected a person in Turkey has revealed a mutation at the receptor-binding site that may favor human transmission, the World Health Organization reports.

The mutation has been seen previously in avian viruses isolated from a small outbreak in Hong Kong in 2003 and from a 2005 outbreak in Vietnam. "Research has indicated that the Hong Kong 2003 viruses bind preferentially to human cell receptors more so than to avian cell receptors," the WHO said. "Researchers . . . anticipate that the Turkish virus also will have this characteristic.

Interpretation of the significance of the finding for human health will depend on clinical and epidemiological data now being gathered in Turkey. All available evidence indicates that no sustained human-to-human transmission is occurring in any country experiencing human cases.

As this issue went to present, the WHO was reporting 20 laboratory-confirmed cases, of which four were fatal. As in Asia, contact with infected birds is the principal source of infection.