Pandemic Influenza Preparedness

All Indian Pueblo Council

Pueblo Health Committee

New Mexico Dept of Health

Epidemiology and Response Division Office of Health Emergency

ManagementJune, 2006

Overview

Avian or “Bird” FluPandemic Preparedness Planning in NMPoint of Dispensing Sites

What is Avian Influenza? Avian or bird flu is a type of influenza that infects

birds. Influenza viruses occur naturally among birds Avian flu is very contagious among birds and can

make domestic birds e.g. chickens, turkeys, and ducks sick, and even kill them

H5N1 avian influenza or “bird flu” (now in the news) is NOT pandemic flu

What is pandemic influenza?

A pandemic occurs when there is a widespread or world wide outbreak of disease

An influenza pandemic or “pandemic flu” is caused when a new virus appears that people have not been exposed to before

Seasonal vs. Pandemic influenza Caused by existing flu

virus Healthy adults usually not

at risk Modest impact to society Approximately 36,000

deaths in US each year

Caused by a new flu virus Healthy adults at increased

risk due to little or no immunity

Could lead to high levels of illness, death, social disruption and economic loss

Why should we prepare? Influenza outbreaks among humans are annual events A pandemic could occur if a new strain of influenza is

introduced A new strain of influenza could pass easily from person to

person Local community preparedness can mitigate some of the

severe effects of a pandemic on individuals, families & communities

“The pandemic clock is ticking, we just don’t know what time it is”

E. Marcuse

Where are we now? Human cases of H5N1 avian

flu are very rare, occurring mainly in Asia where people live close to domestic poultry

Human to human transmission of bird flu is rare, where it may have occurred , did not spread beyond immediate family

Currently, there is no H5N1 virus in the United States

New Mexico is on the Central Flyway for migrating waterfowl

World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are closely monitoring the avian flu

US Fish and Wildlife is monitoring migratory birds in Alaska

NM Game and Fish is monitoring the Sandhill Cranes

Eagles and Turkeys Eagles and turkeys are not

migratory but susceptible to the avian flu virus

Caution should be taken when gathering eagles from the wild

US Fish & Wildlife repository tests eagles for flu before sending them to Native Americans

Pandemic Preparedness in NM

NMDOH received $956,824 from CDC to engage in statewide pandemic preparedness planning

Tribes will each receive $8,000 for planning Tribes must sign an MOA with the State to receive

funds Tribes must be listed as a current vendor with the

State

Pandemic Preparedness in NM County Emergency Managers are the leads for pandemic

preparedness planning in each county Tribes must identify who will coordinate tribal pandemic

response planning with County Emergency Managers Counties will sign an MOA with the State that obligates

them to work closely with the Tribes Tribal emergency managers & IHS are partners in State-

level Unified Command of agencies coordinating pandemic planning (others NM DPS/OEM, NMDOH, & NM Emergency Managers Association)

Point of Dispensing Sites Point of Dispensing Sites or PODS can be used for giving

mass vaccinations in the event of public health emergencies

PODS are not permanent locations and must be separate from hospitals

It is the State’s responsibility to establish PODS in consultation with the tribes

Currently, the State has established 87 POD sites Tribes have the option to set up PODs on tribal land

Requirements for PODS Building that is accessible to the public with:

adequate parking phone lines Internet access (preferred)

Assurance of security for medication, facility & personnel Design & plan for service flow throughout facility Operated primarily by members of your community

Factors to consider States and Tribes largely will be on their own to

prepare for and respond if a pandemic occurs Indian Health Service will be overwhelmed with

the demand for services in their own facilities There may be very high levels of illness and death Vaccine may not be available for up to 6 months

after initial outbreak There will not be enough vaccine for everyone

Additional Resourceswww.pandemicflu.govwww.nmbirdflu.org/

www.health.state.nm.us/ohem/

NM Dept Health, Infec. Disease & Epi: 505-827-0006NM Game & Fish: 505-476-8000

Joe Baca, Native American PlannerNMDOH, Epidemiology & Response Division

Office of Health Emergency Management505-476-7873

joe.baca@state.nm.us