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following is information put forth by the Department of the
Interior regarding the recent concerns surrounding the outbreak
of H5N1 Avian influenza. As public concern about avian influenza
increases, it is important to separate fact from fiction.
First and foremost, there is no influenza pandemic in the world
at this time. The most recent Asian strain of highly pathogenic
H5N1 avian influenza virus is almost exclusively a disease of
birds and even in birds, has not yet appeared in North or South
America.
The risk of high path H5N1 transmission from wild birds to
humans is extremely low. That said, the potential for migratory
birds to carry this virus to North America does exist and we
have a responsibility to plan and prepare accordingly. The
Department and its bureaus (particularly USGS, FWS and NPS) have
been closely involved in the government-wide effort to plan for
and respond to a pandemic, including the Implementation Plan for
the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza.
It is important for all Americans to be informed about this
potential public health threat and we advise looking carefully
at the recommended steps individual Americans can take to
protect themselves, their families and communities in the event
of a pandemic. You can practice good public health measures like
frequent hand washing and staying home when sick. You can keep a
supply of food and medicines on hand in case you have to stay
home, a wise precaution for any type of emergency. There is good
information available on www.pandemicflu.gov.
Additional information on avian influenza, employee health,
wild bird monitoring and management, safety guidelines for
hunters and wildlife watchers and other information for DOI
employees, State wildlife agencies and the public are online at
the sites listed below:
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