| At least one Canadian group formed after SARS | | | | veterinary and health services (along with other |
| hit Toronto is working with the World Health | | | | sector services deemed as appropriate) should |
| Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control | | | | exchange lab information and other data.* |
| and Prevention (CDCP) and other organizations to | | | | Vaccination for public health reasons: Health |
| help boost public safety.That group is the Public | | | | authorities may consider vaccination against more |
| Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), which was | | | | common, seasonal influenza for persons at risk of |
| formed in 2004. It acts independently but is | | | | occupational exposure to the H5N1 virus. |
| responsible to Canada's health minister. | | | | Vaccination against seasonal influenza is a public |
| PHAC is in the midst of creating a pandemic plan | | | | health measure aimed at slashing the progression |
| for Canada, said Aggie Adamczyk, media relations | | | | of HN51 along with the seasonal flu. Even so, |
| officer with the agency.The plan is not being | | | | vaccination against seasonal influenza will not |
| formulated just for the Avian Flu but for any | | | | protect people against infection with the H5N1 |
| disease that could reach pandemic proportions, | | | | virus.* Protection of persons at risk of |
| although PHAC is monitoring the Bird Flu situation. | | | | occupational exposure: This is aimed at helping |
| The agency recommends "good respiratory | | | | protect people who work on farms or other |
| etiquette," she said, which includes using a tissue | | | | businesses wherein contact with fowl is common. |
| or sleeve when a sneeze comes upon you. Plenty | | | | Such people should wear personal protective |
| of hand washing is also a PHAC suggestion.Where | | | | equipment as follows:1. Protective clothing, |
| the regular Influenza A symptoms include aching | | | | preferably coveralls plus an impermeable apron or |
| muscles, sore nose, high fever and coughing, | | | | surgical gown with long-cuffed sleeves plus an |
| people wary of the Bird Flu should be on the | | | | impermeable apron.2. Heavy-duty rubber work |
| watch for symptoms pinpointed in a 1997 Hong | | | | gloves that can be disinfected.3. Standard |
| Kong outbreak. | | | | well-fitted surgical masks should be used if |
| In that outbreak, people "developed symptoms | | | | high-efficiency respiratory masks are not available. |
| of fever, sore throat, cough and, in several of the | | | | Masks should be fit-tested and training in their use |
| fatal cases, severe respiratory distress secondary | | | | should be provided.4. Goggles.5. Rubber or |
| to viral pneumonia. Previously healthy adults and | | | | polyurethane boots that can be disinfected or |
| children, and some with chronic medical conditions, | | | | protective foot covers that can be |
| were affected," according to WHO Web | | | | discarded.Tamiflu should be made available to |
| information.As with the WHO, PHAC isn't rushing | | | | people who work in at-risk conditions, the WHO |
| to recommend the use of SARS-style face | | | | recommends. In addition, people in such |
| masks to ward off the Avian Flu, Adamczyk said, | | | | occupations should be aware of the early clinical |
| although that could change depending on the | | | | signs of H5N1 infection and check for them daily |
| course the H5N1 virus takes. | | | | (as well as for two weeks after the last |
| "It's a little bit early (for masks or antiviral drugs) | | | | exposure to potentially-dangerous conditions), with |
| at this point," she said. | | | | the caveat that many of those signs are also |
| Even so, global health officials need to be ready | | | | apparent in more common diseases.The following |
| for whatever new infectious disease comes their | | | | symptoms should be reported to a doctor, |
| way, she said. | | | | according to the WHO: |
| "No one really knows if it will be Avian Flu or | | | | "Most patients infected with the H5N1 virus show |
| something like SARS. You have to be ready for | | | | initial symptoms of fever (38 C or higher) |
| (any disease)," Adamczyk said.It is possible to | | | | followed by influenza-like respiratory symptoms, |
| create a vaccine for a pandemic flu, although | | | | including cough, rhinorrhea, sore throat, and (less |
| making it ahead of time is risky because the flu | | | | frequently) shortness of breath. Watery diarrhea |
| could mutate, limiting the vaccine's effectiveness. | | | | is often present in the early stages of illness, and |
| The amount of vaccine that would be needed for | | | | may precede respiratory symptoms by up to |
| a pandemic could also prove to be a problem, | | | | one week. Gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal |
| although research is underway to find technologies | | | | pain, vomiting) may occur and headache has also |
| to streamline the vaccine production process.In | | | | been reported. To date, one report has described |
| the event of a pandemic, public health officials | | | | two patients who presented with an |
| could ask people to remain in their homes and | | | | encephalopathic illness and diarrhea without |
| refrain from gathering in public places. Other viral | | | | apparent respiratory symptoms."People suspected |
| outbreaks have led to similar scenarios in North | | | | of carrying the virus should be put in isolation and |
| America in the past.The WHO recommends the | | | | virus samples should be sent to WHO laboratories, |
| following to public health groups dealing with cases | | | | the group said. |
| of Avian Flu:* Co-ordinate services: Agricultural, | | | | |