Ohio Pandemic Influenza

Monitoring Outbreaks

Several state agencies are working together to monitor potential outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian (bird) flu virus in Ohio. Avian influenza and pandemic influenza are two different types of flu. If there is confirmation of the highly pathogenic H5N1virus in birds in Ohio, it does not mean there is a pandemic. An influenza pandemic occurs when a new virus achieves sustained human-to-human transmission.

Monitoring Outbreaks in Birds in Ohio
It is possible the H5N1 virus could spread to Ohio from migratory birds. Ohio is near the Atlantic and Mississippi flyways where birds potentially carrying H5N1 congregate. Wildlife officers have been trained to look for the signs of bird flu in the areas they monitor. If you see multiple bird deaths within a short period of time, notify the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife at (800) WILDLIFE.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture has provided surveillance for avian influenza (bird flu) on commercial poultry populations for more than 20 years. Tests are conducted at the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, which has a veterinary virologist trained by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to conduct sensitive and specific tests to detect both low pathogenic and high pathogenic avian influenza.

In the event of an outbreak, ODA, in conjunction with USDA, will operate under the State of Ohio’s Emergency Operations Plan, which provides for quick and effective containment of any disease outbreak. ODA is responsible for quarantining facilities and disposal of animals during any animal disease outbreak. If you have questions about your birds contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Biosecurity for the Birds program, or call (866)536-7593.

Monitoring Outbreaks in People
Should a pandemic develop from the H5N1 virus, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has extensive human monitoring and reporting systems in place that include medical practitioners, hospitals and local health departments to detect and monitor flu outbreaks, such as, sentinel physician provider surveillance, RODS (real-time outbreak and disease surveillance system) surveillance and year-round laboratory testing capability.

Worldwide Monitoring Efforts
The World Health Organization(WHO), National Institutes of Health and many other organizations have been tracking the H5N1 virus globally. Epidemiologists use monitoring data to predict where and how a disease might spread. A primary goal of monitoring is to identify any outbreak of human-to-human transmission quickly so health officials can attempt to contain and control the outbreak wherever it occurs. Use the links on the right for the most recent outbreak information from numerous federal and international organizations.

Last Updated August 29, 2006

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