Town of Bethel Connecticut - Health Department

Bethel Health Department

Bird (Avian) & Pandemic (Human) Flu

Flu Terms Defined:

Seasonal (or common) Flu is a respiratory illness that can be transmitted person to person. Most people have some immunity and a vaccine is available.

Avian (or bird) flu is caused by influenza viruses that occur naturally among wild birds. The H5N1 variant is deadly to domestic fowl and has been transmitted from birds to humans. There is no human immunity and no vaccine is available.

Pandemic flu is virulent human flu that causes a global outbreak of serious illness. Because there is little natural immunity, the disease can spread easily from person to person. Currently there is no pandemic flu.

Flu Activity in United States

Flu Prevention

How to Prepare for "Sheltering-In-Place"

The Department of Health and Human Services suggests that residents prepare two weeks of emergency supplies (food, water, medicines, etc.) in order to be prepared during an influenza pandemic or any large scale Public health emergency.

"School Closure" is only done in a severe illness outbreak situation.

What Can You Do on a Daily Basis?

Cover your cough.
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to eradicate viruses and bacteria or
Apply a hand sanitizer with a minimum of 60% alcohol content when soap and water are not available.
Stay home if you are sick.
Vaccinate yourself against seasonal flu.

On-Line Resources: Detailed information about suggested preparations, as well as planning checklists, are available on the U.S. government's one-stop web site on pandemic influenza, also the World Health Organization, and the Centers for Disease Control websites.

Guides for treating influenza:

Home Care for Treating Influenza

How to Care for Someone with Influenza

Key: pdf document; word document; link to outside website

Link here to download a free Adobe Reader