May 10, 2006       (937) 374-5660 or toll-free at 1(866) 858-3588

Greene County Combined Health District Releases
Response to the Movie, “Fatal Contact: Bird Flu in America”

ABOUT THE MOVIE

The movie “Fatal Contact” is based on a worst-case scenario of a flu pandemic. As entertainment, creative licenses are taken when dramatizing a hypothetical event. Some of the events portrayed are beyond the scope of what could happen, even in a worst-case scenario. For instance, quarantines are only used early in a pandemic to slow the spread of the virus and would not be enforced with barbed wire.

REALITY OF A PANDEMIC

Scientists don’t know whether the currently circulating H5N1 virus will be the one that sparks the next pandemic, but we know a pandemic will occur sometime.

When an influenza pandemic does occur, we will very likely experience shortages of goods and services. It is important to stockpile supplies now to minimize financial impact and alleviate potential shortages.

There also will be limited availability of antiviral medicines to treat infected people and it could take months to develop an effective vaccine. Keep yourself healthy now by washing your hands regularly, covering your coughs and sneezes, eating a balanced diet and getting plenty of sleep.

If and when a pandemic begins, our best defense against it is common sense.

OHIO PLANS

In the absence of a vaccine in the beginning of a pandemic, limiting social contact will be one of the ways we can slow the spread of the virus. These measures include social distancing, isolation and quarantine.

o       Some examples of social distancing are voluntary sheltering, when healthy people stay at home to keep from being exposed to disease and official “snow days” when schools are closed and public gatherings canceled. These are simple measures one can take to protect themselves from getting sick or spreading the virus to others.

o       In medical care facilities, those who have the flu or are sick may be isolated from the general population to prevent spread of the virus.

o       In the Ohio plan, a quarantine is a voluntary observance of a government order for those who are potentially exposed to separate themselves from the population and limit movement for a short period of time.

PREPAREDNESS

Our level of preparedness today as opposed to previous pandemics is greatly improved in many areas. We have expanded global and national surveillance of diseases, and we have better health care, medicines and diagnostics.

But we also have unique risks that were not a factor in decades past. Increased global travel and commerce could increase the speed at which a flu virus spreads. Our population density is greater, increasing the likelihood of exposure to viruses. And we have more elderly and immuno-suppressed residents who are typically at higher risk for flu viruses.

The public can prepare for a pandemic as for other emergencies by stockpiling supplies, creating an emergency plan and living healthier lives.

The flu, whether pandemic or seasonal, is a respiratory illness spread like the common cold (www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/coldflu.htm). We recommend people get into the habit of covering their coughs and sneezes with their elbow or a tissue and wash hands regularly with soap and water. People should be mindful of how germs enter their system – through the eyes, nose and mouth.

RE-ITERATION OF KEY MESSAGES

If people are concerned, they should visit www.ohiopandemicflu.gov to learn more about the virus and how they can prepare. At the least, we recommend creating an emergency supply kit and being mindful of respiratory etiquette.

There have not been any cases of highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu in birds or people in the United States. Only those who have prolonged close contact with birds are at risk for contracting the virus. In the United States, our advanced biosecurity measures make this a very unlikely occurrence. Until the virus has the ability to pass easily among people, it is a bird flu and not a pandemic.

For more information, please call Sara T. Pappa, Public Information Officer, at (937) 374-5600.

Greene County Combined Health District – Your center for public health services and health information in Greene County for over 70 years.

Healthy People…Healthy Communities

###