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Pandemic Influenza

In recent years, a small number of people living in Asia, Africa, or the Middle East have contracted a strain of the flu virus which normally affects birds. It appears that the illness was passed through contact with infected birds, not through human-to-human contact. Nevertheless, this strain of flu seems to be especially potent, with a high rate of death among those who have contracted the illness.

There is concern that this strain of avian flu, if its mode of transmission changes to human-to-human contact, could lead to a worldwide outbreak, also known as a pandemic. Currently, humans cannot contract the illness from contact with one another. But, health officials are preparing for an eventual flu pandemic, whether it is caused by this particular strain of the flu virus or some other.

Below are links to Websites that have a wealth of information on the avian flu and what is being done to prepare for a potential pandemic. Each link will open in its own window.

PandemicFlu.gov

Visit the official U.S. government Website for information on pandemic flu and avian influenza. A number of helpful checklists can be obtained from this site, including a Medical Offices and Clinics Checklist, which reviews the specific steps that your dialysis unit can take to prepare for a pandemic.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

A resource guide on Medicare immunization billing can be found on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' Medicare Learning Network website.

State Plans

Links to individual state plans for pandemic influenza.

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention

Get information on the National Vaccine Program Office's FluAid software.

The Pandemic Influenza Toolkit assists healthcare professionals in discussing pandemic flu with patients and caring for them in the event that the virus spreads.

World Health Organization

Review WHO's Interim Infection Control Guideline for Health Care Facilities.

Immunization Action Coalition

The IAC has developed an Influenza Vaccination Pocket Information Guide, a quick-reference tool for front-line healthcare personnel which contains useful information about the use of both inactivated (injectable) and live (intranasal) influenza vaccines. They have also produced a Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccination (PPV) Pocket Guide, which lists the groups targeted to receive the vaccine, as well as vaccine contraindications, dosing, administration methods, and side effects. Finally, this poster may be useful for patient education.