Currently there is a great deal of attention on bird flu and the possibility of an upcoming pandemic. The local newspapers, television and even Hollywood have incorporated this topic into our daily lives. Although most media have portrayed the subject in a realistic manner, there are some sources that have caused fear. There are many questions that still need to be answered. The public needs to be educated on the subject and not threatened by the media with scare tactics.
In the last century There have been three pandemics—the Spanish Flu of 1918 which infected over one-third of the U.S. population, and two influenza pandemics in 1957/58 and 1968/69, both of which caused so much less illness that many Americans were unaware that a pandemic was occurring.
With increases in scientific technology over the past 40 years, the possibility that a pandemic could hit the U.S. population with the same impact that it had in 1918 is substantially less. Preparation is underway to stockpile antivirals for much of the population. In addition, vaccination development has been improved to help you and your family better prepare for such a situation. To learn more about what you can do to help prepare for a pandemic and also what the government is doing to prepare, visit the links below.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) hotline, 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636), is available in English and Spanish, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. TTY: 1-888-232-6348. Send an email with any questions. Links to state departments of public health can be found here.
For the latest Flu Vaccine recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control, please click here.
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