A web page for the health and safety of everyone on campus, presented by The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Safety Council and the Office of Institutional Advancement. For general information associated with this site, please contact Environmental Health & Safety at (713) 500-8100.

Preparing for the Bird Flu and Other Influenza Strains

Recent headline news stories have heightened interest in the coming flu season. Besides the more regular, predictable human flu strains, international experts are warning that a current strain of flu in birds — known as avian influenza (specifically the strain H5N1) — could cross over to spread among humans.

Avian influenza is normally only spread to humans who ingest contaminated poultry or live in close proximity of contaminated birds and come in contact with contaminated bird saliva, nasal secretions, and/or feces.

The WHO along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are closely monitoring the situation in Asian (and more recently European) countries that have identified H5N1 avian flu outbreaks.

The UT Health Science Center at Houston is taking measures to prepare for flu season and for any possible instances of avian flu. UT Health Services, (713) 500-3267, Student Health Services and other local health care providers expect to have adequate doses of influenza vaccine this year. University officials are closely monitoring surveillance reports from locations around the world, and will keep the university community abreast of any developments.

Everyone can assist in these surveillance activities by educating themselves on the signs and symptoms of influenza (human and avian influenza presents itself in similar fashion in humans) and by monitoring and reporting potential flu activity promptly to UT Health Services.

In addition, the CDC recommends ways that you can help prevent the spread of influenza by using good 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 from work, school, and errands when you are sick, if possible. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
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.
Get vaccinated.
Although no vaccine currently exists for avian influenza, it is prudent practice to get vaccinated for the more common human influenza viruses.

Please contact Environmental Health and Safety, (713) 500-8100, for further information.

For more information about avian influenza — Including fact sheets, frequently asked questions and up-to-date outbreak information — please visit:

— Information provided by Environmental Health and Safety

Date Posted: 10/17/2005