The Avian and Pandemic Influenza Information website is maintained by the Department of Student Health Services at Texas A&M University. For comments or more information, please contact the Director of Student Health Services at (979) 458-8300.

Seasonal (or common) flu is a respiratory illness that can be transmitted person to person. Most people have some immunity, and a vaccine is available.

Avian (or bird) flu is caused by influenza viruses that occur naturally among wild birds. The H5N1 variant is deadly to domestic fowl and can be transmitted from birds to humans. There is no human immunity and no vaccine is available.

Pandemic flu is virulent human flu that causes a global outbreak, or pandemic, of serious illness. Because there is little natural immunity, the disease can spread easily from person to person. Currently, there is no pandemic flu.

Definitions from http://pandemicflu.gov/

Flu shots are available at SHS for $19.50. Please call (979) 458-8250 to schedule an appointment.

General Information

One stop access to U.S. Government avian and pandemic flu information
http://pandemicflu.gov/

Avian Influenza Overview - Centers for Disease Control
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/index.htm

Avian Influenza Overview and Updates - World Health Organization
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/index.html

Pandemic Influenza and Avian Influenza Resources - Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA)
http://www.shea-online.org/news/avianflu.cfm

Planning and Checklists

National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza - White House http://www.whitehouse.gov/homeland/pandemic-influenza.html

HHS Pandemic Influenza Plan - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
http://www.hhs.gov/pandemicflu/plan

Pandemic Flu Information for Health Professionals - Centers for Disease Control
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pandemic/healthprofessional.htm

Responding to the Avian Influenza Threat - World Health Organization http://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/influenza/WHO_CDS_CSR_GIP_05_8-EN.pdf

Colleges and Universities Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist - U.S. Department of Health and Human Service
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/collegeschecklist.html

Training and Resources

Infection Prevention in the Workplace - USA Center for Rural Public Health Preparedness
The PowerPoint presentation can be found here. For more information about the center see their webpage.

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Please continue to check this page for updates or call (979)458-8300 with questions.

Updated October 19, 2007