Avian Flu and Pandemics are hot topics in the news media these days. This particular flu is currently confined to Asia and parts of Europe. There have been no reported cases of the Avian Flu in the United States. This particular strain of flu is not transmitted by human-to-human contact but only with direct contact with birds in the countries where the virus has been identified. There is no current pandemic anywhere in the world as a result of the Avian Flu and this particular flu is only considered an outbreak in the countries that are affected.

• Avian Flu is caused by avian influenza viruses, which occur naturally among birds.
  
• Pandemic Flu is flu that causes a global outbreak, or pandemic, of serious illness that spreads easily from person to person.
Currently there is no pandemic flu.


• Seasonal Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses.


(CDC, 2006)

Foreign Countries with Avian infected birds
Updated March 27, 2006

Since December 2003, avian influenza A (H5N1) infections in poultry or wild birds have been reported in the following countries:

Africa:

Cameroon

Niger

Nigeria

East Asia & the Pacific:

Cambodia

China

Hong Kong (SARPRC)

Indonesia

Japan

Laos

Malaysia

Mongolia

Myanmar (Burma)

Thailand

Vietnam

South Asia:

Afghanistan

India

Kazakhstan

Pakistan (H5)

Near East:

Egypt

Iraq (H5)

Iran

Israel

Jordan

Europe & Eurasia:

Albania

Austria

Azerbaijan

Bosnia & Herzegovina (H5)

Bulgaria

Croatia

Denmark (H5)

France

Georgia (H5)

Germany

Greece

Hungary

Italy

Poland

Romania

Russia

Serbia and Montenegro (H5)

Slovak Republic

Slovenia

Sweden

Switzerland

Turkey

Ukraine

Foreign Travel
There are no current travel restrictions advised if traveling to countries that have birds infected with the Avian Flu virus. Travelers to areas affected by avian influenza in birds are not considered to be at elevated risk of infection unless direct and un-protected exposure to infected birds (including feathers, feces and under-cooked meat and egg products) occurs.

The World Health Organization (WHO) continues to recommend that travelers to affected areas should avoid contact with live animal markets and poultry farms, and any free-ranging or caged poultry. Large amounts of the virus are known to be excreted in the droppings from infected birds. Populations in affected countries are advised to avoid contact with dead migratory birds or wild birds showing signs of disease.

Direct contact with infected poultry, or surfaces and objects contaminated by their droppings, is considered the main route of human infection. Exposure risk is considered highest during slaughter, defeathering, butchering, and preparation of poultry for cooking. There is no evidence that properly cooked poultry or poultry products can be a source of infection. (WHO, 2006)

Foreign Travel Information
Center for Disease Control Travel Advisory
United States Department of State Travel Advisory
World Health Organization Travel Advisory

Texas A&M University Life Services and Wellness
TAMUK Student Health Care Services, along with the university's Crisis Management Team, will continuously monitor the progression of the Avian Flu. Updates and necessary precautions will be instituted in accordance with the United States Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Texas Department of Health (TDH) protocols as conditions warrant.