March 23, 2006

Bird flu in Santa Clara County: Are we at risk?

Residents and local organizations prepare for possible flu pandemic

By Jennifer Robertson
Staff Writer

Concerned residents attended a public meeting last Thursday at the County of Santa Clara’s Board of Supervisors Chambers to learn more about avian (bird) flu, or the H5N1 influenza virus, and to prepare for a possible pandemic influenza.

The current avian flu is spread by wild birds to chickens and ducks. Human infections have occurred through direct contact with infected chickens.

Although the seasonal flu and avian flu share some symptoms, such as coughing, sneezing, fever and muscle aches, they are very different viruses, explained Dr. Martin Fenstersheib, health officer of the Health Advisory Commission, during his presentation. One of the main differences is that the avian flu can cause acute respiratory problems, pneumonia and other complications not normally found in the seasonal flu.

While the seasonal flu usually affects the elderly and the frail most seriously, this virus could potentially affect those who are the healthiest. The virus causes an extreme reaction of the immune system, so those with stronger immune systems will naturally have stronger reactions, which could actually harm the body.

So far, this strain of avian influenza has only been transmitted to humans through direct contact with infected animals. The fear is that the virus will mutate in a way that enables it to be transmitted easily from human to human, creating an influenza pandemic.

“I’m quite concerned,” said Fred Martin, a real estate broker from Los Altos who attended the meeting with his wife. “We should inform ourselves as much as possible. The better you understand the better you can be prepared to deal with it.”

But in addition to staying informed, this couple is taking a proactive approach to help protect themselves and others if a pandemic does occur. Fred’s wife, Maria, volunteered to be part of a double-blind study for the avian flu vaccine at Stanford in Palo Alto. She just had her first dose of the vaccine.

“Our most-likely-to-succeed weapon is a good vaccine,” said Dr. Cornelia Dekker, director of the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital vaccine program. But creating a vaccine is very complicated, especially since there is no way to predict exactly how this virus will mutate, and there are not many places that are licensed to make the vaccine.
According to Fenstersheib, it will take six to eight months to create a vaccine once the strain has been identified, and there simply won’t be enough for everyone.

A glimpse of life in Santa Clara County with influenza pandemic
It is estimated that 450,000–620,000 (25-35 percent) of Santa Clara County residents would become ill if a new flu pandemic were to occur. Approximately 61,000–143,000 of that population would become hospitalized, and there could be 20,000–30,000 deaths countywide.

Critically ill people will need ventilators, which will be in short supply, and there won’t be enough hospital beds for everyone. There are only 2,300 beds in the county, so the area will be out of beds by the third week, including beds in the intensive care units. People will be forced to find alternate ways of caring for sick people, such as home care and flu centers.

Martin Fenstersheib, M.D., provides useful information about avian and pandemic influenza and addresses concerns posed by the general public and County officials.

Initially, we will have limited or no assistance from the state or federal government, explained Fenstersheib. We will have to implement measures to slow the spread of the virus such as social distancing through closing schools and prohibiting large public gatherings.

Companies will need to take responsibility as well by mandating sick leave and being prepared for high absenteeism at work. “We can never eliminate the impact, but we can lessen it,” he said. “The more we prepare ahead of time, the more we will mitigate the impact.”

Local government’s prepares for pandemic
The estimates for the impact of a pandemic on Santa Clara County are based on the Spanish flu of 1918. The pandemic may occur in phases and stages over a period of one to two years. It is difficult to predict when the virus will spread to the United States, so officials stress that citizens should take measures to prepare now.

The county is working with other organizations and groups in order to create public awareness, disseminate information and mobilize volunteers. For example, the Red Cross is disseminating information on how to assemble emergency preparation kits that contain two weeks of food, water, prescription medication, re-hydration solutions, facemasks and other necessary items.

But it is not the sole responsibility of the government and health organizations to deal with the problem. Nonprofit groups, communities, neighborhood organizations, schools, the media and individual people will be relied upon to disseminate information and help prepare for a pandemic.

The role of public health organizations is to limit the spread of the virus, but officials insist we all must do our part. “It’s everyone’s responsibility to educate and prepare for the disease,” said Fenstersheib.

How you can prepare for a pandemic
The common sense rules for preventing the seasonal flu and other illnesses still apply, such as washing your hands frequently and using disinfectants to clean surfaces. But according to Larry Hoppis, a naturopath who works at the Center for Wellness in Aptos and teaches at the Five Branches Institute College of Traditional Chinese Medicine in San Jose, there are some additional steps individuals need to take to prepare for a flu pandemic.

Hoppis feels it is imperative people prepare their bodies for the possible pandemic through proper nutrition, supplements, exercise and reduced stress at least 18-24 months prior to a pandemic because it gives the immune system time to build up.

In addition to eating “clean” foods, such as organic produce, Hoppis also recommends taking about 200-300 mg of cod liver or flax oil per day with meals. “Your grandmother was right after all,” he said. This builds up cell membranes, which is the immune system of the cell and causes the cell to function normally. “It helps your body in every way.”

As part of a regular healthy routine, Hoppis suggests taking a good multi-vitamin and mineral supplement, which he recommends chewing instead of swallowing if possible. The body also needs to be well hydrated, so he suggests drinking half your body’s weight in ounces per day and more if you exercise.

By doing all of these things, Hoppis says we are building up the body’s “strategic resources.” It keeps our immune systems continuously working by “spring cleaning our body,” greatly increasing the chances of surviving a case of pandemic flu and preventing the immune system from going into overdrive.

Although it is possible the current strain of avian flu will not develop into pandemic influenza, all of the health officials and experts seem to agree on one thing, and that is the importance of preparing and planning for the future.

Building up your immune system “is like a savings account for emergencies,” explained Hoppis, or “deposits you can put in your body’s bank account.” And the time to start saving is now.

For more information, access the following Web sites: sccphd.org, pandemicflu.gov, who.int, fda.gov, redcross.org, or contact the Santa Clara County Public Health Information Line at 408-885-3980. This will provide updated, recorded information on pandemic influenza Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.