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Commanders' forum targets avian flu awareness
Aug. 18, 2006; Submitted on: 08/17/2006 09:42:48 PM ; Story ID#: 2006817214248
By - Okinawa Marine Staff, MCB Camp Butler
CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan (Aug. 18, 2006) -- A commanders' educational forum at Camp Foster's Butler Theater Aug. 8 took aim at educating U.S. and Japanese leaders and raising awareness about avian influenza, also known as bird flu.
Leaders from III Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Bases Japan and U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa and Kadena Air Base arranged the event to focus senior leaders here on avian flu concerns and prompt them to educate their personnel as well.
Significant outbreaks of avian flu began in Southeast Asia in mid-2003, according to the World Health Organization's Web site. The H5N1 strain of the virus has proved to be especially tenacious.
Despite the death or destruction of an estimated 150 million birds, the virus is prevalent in many countries in the Pacific region. Control of the disease in poultry is expected to take several years.
While avian flu is a contagious disease of animals caused by viruses that normally infect only birds, there have been 238 confirmed human cases of H5N1 in 10 countries from Southeast Asia to the Middle East, with the largest numbers of infection in Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand, according to Globalhealthfacts.org.
Of the 238 human cases, 139 have been fatal. With 44 deaths, Indonesia recently topped the list of confirmed Bird Flu fatalities, passing Vietnam with 42.
There have been no avian flu cases in humans in Japan, but medical professionals at the recent forum emphasized preparedness in the American and local communities in case of a pandemic.
"There is no need for hysteria or panic, but the threat of pandemic is real," said Lt. Cmdr. David Asseff, a preventive medicine and tropical disease physician with III MEF. "We might never have a pandemic, but people should be aware and educated. A little prevention goes a long way."
Medical professionals from USNH Okinawa and Kadena Air Base's 18th Medical Group and several III MEF officials covered a variety of topics including emergency evacuation procedures, medical responses and priority personnel.
The forum covered such specifics as contingency procedures during a pandemic. In case of an overflow at USNH Okinawa, for example, Camp Lester middle school's gym would function as a medical facility.
Asseff said avian flu can be transmitted in two ways: through direct contact with infected birds or poultry, or through close, sustained contact with an infected human.
Poultry should be well-cooked to kill any possible avian flu virus, he added. "If you are going to travel to places such as Thailand, Vietnam or Indonesia, make sure the poultry is well cooked and go to higher end places where the food will be prepared better," Asseff said.
Asseff stressed general illness prevention measures such as hand washing, covering one's mouth when coughing or sneezing and staying at home when ill. Okinawa personnel can expect more information in the coming months and can log onto http://www.pandemicflu.gov.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/F58BE655106D8872852571CE000969B1?OpenDocument
Aug. 18, 2006; Submitted on: 08/17/2006 09:42:48 PM ; Story ID#: 2006817214248
By - Okinawa Marine Staff, MCB Camp Butler
CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan (Aug. 18, 2006) -- A commanders' educational forum at Camp Foster's Butler Theater Aug. 8 took aim at educating U.S. and Japanese leaders and raising awareness about avian influenza, also known as bird flu.
Leaders from III Marine Expeditionary Force, Marine Corps Bases Japan and U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa and Kadena Air Base arranged the event to focus senior leaders here on avian flu concerns and prompt them to educate their personnel as well.
Significant outbreaks of avian flu began in Southeast Asia in mid-2003, according to the World Health Organization's Web site. The H5N1 strain of the virus has proved to be especially tenacious.
Despite the death or destruction of an estimated 150 million birds, the virus is prevalent in many countries in the Pacific region. Control of the disease in poultry is expected to take several years.
While avian flu is a contagious disease of animals caused by viruses that normally infect only birds, there have been 238 confirmed human cases of H5N1 in 10 countries from Southeast Asia to the Middle East, with the largest numbers of infection in Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand, according to Globalhealthfacts.org.
Of the 238 human cases, 139 have been fatal. With 44 deaths, Indonesia recently topped the list of confirmed Bird Flu fatalities, passing Vietnam with 42.
There have been no avian flu cases in humans in Japan, but medical professionals at the recent forum emphasized preparedness in the American and local communities in case of a pandemic.
"There is no need for hysteria or panic, but the threat of pandemic is real," said Lt. Cmdr. David Asseff, a preventive medicine and tropical disease physician with III MEF. "We might never have a pandemic, but people should be aware and educated. A little prevention goes a long way."
Medical professionals from USNH Okinawa and Kadena Air Base's 18th Medical Group and several III MEF officials covered a variety of topics including emergency evacuation procedures, medical responses and priority personnel.
The forum covered such specifics as contingency procedures during a pandemic. In case of an overflow at USNH Okinawa, for example, Camp Lester middle school's gym would function as a medical facility.
Asseff said avian flu can be transmitted in two ways: through direct contact with infected birds or poultry, or through close, sustained contact with an infected human.
Poultry should be well-cooked to kill any possible avian flu virus, he added. "If you are going to travel to places such as Thailand, Vietnam or Indonesia, make sure the poultry is well cooked and go to higher end places where the food will be prepared better," Asseff said.
Asseff stressed general illness prevention measures such as hand washing, covering one's mouth when coughing or sneezing and staying at home when ill. Okinawa personnel can expect more information in the coming months and can log onto http://www.pandemicflu.gov.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/F58BE655106D8872852571CE000969B1?OpenDocument