AVIAN FLU: The Facts S3422 - Leader's Guide

S3422
AVIAN FLU: The Facts

     Leader’s Guide

     © 2006 Safety Source Productions

AVIAN FLU:
                                           The Facts
This easy-to-use Leader’s Guide is provided to assist in conducting a successful presentation.
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INTRODUCTION: A brief description of the program and the subject that it addresses.

PROGRAM OUTLINE: Summarizes the program content. If the program outline is discussed
before the video is presented, the entire program will be more meaningful and successful.

PREPARING FOR AND CONDUCTING THE PRESENTATION: These sections will help
you set up the training environment, help you relate the program to site-specific incidents, and
provide program objectives for focusing your presentation.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Questions may be copied and given to participants to stimulate
discussion about the program.

INTRODUCTION
Hurricane disasters such as Katrina and Rita were devastating, but they would be considered
miniscule in comparison to a pandemic of avian flu. But by using common sense and universal
precautions, you may be able to prevent or reduce the effects of this very serious illness. This
program explains the precautions viewers can take to prevent the spread of avian (or bird) flu.
Topics include the history of influenza pandemics, how the disease spreads and affects those
infected, good basic health habits to follow and use of universal precautions.

PROGRAM OUTLINE

INFLUENZA PANDEMICS
• An influenza pandemic is a global outbreak of disease that occurs when a new influenza “A”
virus appears or emerges in the human population, causes serious illness and then spreads easily
from person to person worldwide.
• Pandemic outbreaks are caused by new subtypes or subtypes that have never circulated among
people or that have not circulated among people for a long time.
• Past influenza pandemics have led to high levels of illness, death, social disruption and
economic loss.
• The Asian flu of 1957-1958 caused about 70,000 deaths in the U.S. First identified in China in
late February of 1957, the Asian flu spread to the U.S. by June 1957.
• The Hong Kong flu, 1968-1969, caused about 34,000 deaths in the U.S. This virus was first
detected in Hong Kong in early 1968 and spread to the U.S. later that year.
• In 2003, we heard about SARS, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, which is an atypical form
of pneumonia.
• There have been many pandemics, not only from influenza, that have killed millions of people,
so it is best to be armed with information rather than take chances.

HOW THE DISEASE SPREADS & AFFECTS THOSE INFECTED
• Right now, in human beings, avian flu kills 55 percent of the people it infects. That makes it the
most lethal flu we know of that has ever been on planet earth affecting human beings.
• It started in Asia. Birds like geese, swans and ducks are the culprits; the birds die of pneumonia.
• Their lungs are found to be filled with fluid and blood and the disease goes from wild birds,
then to chickens, then to people.

• The disease strikes with a cold-type runny nose, then there is the sore throat. The lungs are
attacked next as the tissue suffers from an extreme pneumonia.
• Thus far, infections have come from birds, but once the virus leaps from birds to human to
human, then the pandemic sets loose. The avian flu could travel around the planet in a very short
time; that is due to international air travel.
• People could carry the virus on their hands; therefore, shaking hands could spread the disease.
Door handles and similar objects could carry the virus; whatever is touched could be
contaminated.

THE MAGNITUDE OF THE PROBLEM
• If people think the hurricane disasters of Katrina and Rita were devastating, such would prove to
be pigmy-sized in comparison to a pandemic of avian flu.
• There is no one answer to the problem; in fact, there is no answer. There are not enough
vaccines and since this is a worldwide problem, the U.S. is probably not on the highest priority of
receiving the vaccine.
• There are now only about two million doses available in the U.S., which leaves the vast
majority of the country unprotected.
• Experts say the avian flu could kill many more throughout the world.

FOLLOWING GOOD BASIC HEALTH HABITS
• Perhaps the only thing we can do before enough vaccines are available is to rigidly follow good
basic health habits.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. When you are sick, keep your distance from
others to protect them from getting sick too.
• Stay home when you are sick. If possible, stay home from work, school and errands when you
are sick.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing; it may prevent those
around you from getting sick.
• Washing your hands often will help protect you from germs.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches
something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.
• There are basically three antiviral drugs, Amantadine, Rimantadine and Oseltamivir, that are
approved for use in preventing the flu. These are prescription medications and a doctor should be
consulted before they are used.
• Finally, get your flu shots.

USING UNIVERSAL PRECAUTIONS
• If a pandemic of avian flu did occur and it spread across the U.S., how would we cope with such
a horrendous outbreak? Hospitals would be overwhelmed, medical supplies would be in short
supply and in general, you’ll have to depend on yourself for protection.
• Avian or bird flu is a type of influenza, which means it can be transmitted from people to people
in a pandemic state. The general method of transmission is through coughing, sneezing, bacteria
or other methods of contamination,
so the best thing would be to eliminate the transmission.
• Perhaps wearing a disposable mask like they do in Asia and other countries will prevent
droplets from sneezing and coughing from entering your respiratory system.
• Almost everything you touch could contain the virus, so hand protection such as gloves could be
worn.

• It may be necessary to wear a mask and gloves and wash your hands 10 more times than you do
now.
• Keep away from crowds if at all possible. In a crowd of 50 people, 10 or more people may be
infected.
• At work, think about your air conditioning system, all that air being moved from place to place.
• Don’t use someone else’s telephone, fax or other equipment without first sanitizing it.
Sanitizing can be accomplished in many different ways, but one of the most effective and
economical methods is putting one teaspoon of bleach in a gallon of water.
• Wiping equipment with a rag dipped in this sanitizer will kill bacteria and germs. Be sure to
wash and sanitize coffee cups or use throw-away cups.
• Germs, bacteria and viruses can be transmitted fairly easily by coming in contact with almost
anything: doorknobs, steering wheels, chairs, coffee cups and many other things you touch on a
daily basis. In a crisis mode, you have to think about germs and viruses and protect yourself and
others.
• Wash clothing after one use; wash and sanitize masks and other things you use often.
• If you feel sick, get help if it’s available. Don’t pass your sickness on to co-workers or family
members.
• There is much to do in an influenza outbreak, but the most important thing is to use common
sense and use universal precautions.

SUMMARY
• Overall, this information seems to be nothing more than common sense and things we’re
supposed to be doing anyway.
• All the government officials, medical experts and those who study pandemic outbreaks publicly
state that this warning is not if an outbreak occurs, but when it occurs.
• Officials are working on obtaining greater production of the vaccine so it will be available to
more people, but it would be a miracle if enough vaccine could be produced in the next year or
so.
• The common flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses; it can cause
mild to severe illness and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent this illness is by
getting a flu vaccination each fall.
• Every year in the U.S., on average five to 20 percent of the population gets the flu. More than
200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications and about 36,000 people die from flu.
• Some people, such as older people, young children and people with certain health conditions are
at high risk for serious flu complications.
• Follow the general health habits all the time. We know that many people do not wash their
hands, even after using the restroom; we know they don’t always cover their mouths when
coughing or sneezing.
• We know many things, but this would be the time to start taking the extra step in preventing or
help reducing the
effects of this very, very serious illness.

PREPARE FOR THE SAFETY MEETING OR TRAINING SESSION
Review each section of this Leader's Guide as well as the videotape. Here are a few suggestions
for using the program:
Make everyone aware of the importance the company places on health and safety and how each
person must be an active member of the safety team.
Introduce the videotape program. Play the videotape without interruption. Review the program
content by presenting the information in the program outline.
Copy the review questions included in this Leader's Guide and ask each participant to complete
them.

Make an attendance record and have each participant sign the form. Maintain the attendance
record and each participant's test paper as written documentation of the training performed.

Here are some suggestions for preparing your videotape equipment and the room or area
you use:
Check the room or area for quietness, adequate ventilation and temperature, lighting and
unobstructed access.
Check the seating arrangement and the audiovisual equipment to ensure that all participants will
be able to see and hear the videotape program.
Place or secure extension cords to prevent them from becoming a tripping hazard.

CONDUCTING THE PRESENTATION
Begin the meeting by welcoming the participants. Introduce yourself and give each person the
opportunity to become acquainted if there are new people joining the training session.
Explain that the primary purpose of the program is to make employees aware of the possibility of
an avian flu pandemic and the precautions they can take to prevent the spread of the disease.
Introduce the videotape program. Play the videotape without interruption. Review the program
content by presenting the information in the program outline.
Lead discussions about specific measures that may be taken at your facility to combat the
potential spread of avian flu.
Use the discussion questions help stimulate conversation among program participants.
After watching the videotape program, the viewer will be able to explain the following:
• How the disease spreads and affects those infected;
• What health habits to follow to help reduce the spread of avian flu;
• Which universal precautions to take to avoid infection.

AVIAN FLU:
The Facts
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. What type of precautions can we take here at this facility to help reduce the possibility of an
avian flu outbreak?
2. Can you think of any measures not mentioned in the video that could be taken to reduce the
risk of infection? If so, what are they?
3. What precautions can you take at home to decrease the likelihood of infection?
4. What actions would you take if you discovered you were infected with avian flu?