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During the last several years, a number of people have become ill with a strain of influenza (flu) that normally affects birds. Most, if not all, of these people have contracted the illness directly from birds – not from other humans. But for those who do get the virus, this strain of flu is especially dangerous, with a high death rate among those who become ill. This virus has not been found in Maine, but experts predict that it could reach North America by the end of the year.
View details on avian influenza
Additional Information
Avian influenza fact sheet (UMaine Cooperative Extension)
Avian influenza information from the World Health Organization
There is serious concern that the strain of bird influenza circulating in Asia and Europe could cause a pandemic, which is a worldwide outbreak of illness, among humans. This can only occur if the flu virus changes so people can get it easily from each other, and not just from contact with birds. So far that hasn’t happened, but scientists believe that we will have a flu pandemic sooner or later, even if it’s caused by some other strain of the flu virus.
Prepare your home and family
Getting through a pandemic — or any other major emergency — involves careful planning. It means knowing how you will stay in touch with friends and family and having essential emergency supplies in case you need to spend an extended period of time at home. You can find recommendations at:
How to Prepare Your Home and Family from the Maine Emergency Management Agency
Additional Information
Official U.S. Government pandemic influenza information
Information from the World Health Organization: Ten things you need to know about pandemic influenza
Millions of people in the United States — about 10% to 20% of U.S. residents — will get seasonal influenza (flu) each year. Most people who get influenza will recover in one to two weeks, but some people will develop life-threatening complications (such as pneumonia) as a result of the flu. An average of about 36,000 people per year in the United States die from influenza, and 114,000 per year have to be admitted to the hospital as a result of influenza.
The flu is spread, or transmitted, when a person who has the flu coughs, sneezes, or speaks and sends flu virus into the air, and other people inhale the virus.
Stay healthy
You can help protect yourself against the flu by making sure you wash your hands often, work to improve your general health, and by getting your annual flu shot.
Cover your cough
Cover sneezes and coughs with tissues, and throw away your used tissues.
Stay home when you are sick
Stay home from work, school, and errands when you are sick. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
For more information about the flu, please visit the Maine CDC’s seasonal influenza Web site
