Frequently Asked Questions

What is the bird flu (avian influenza)?
The bird flu (also referred to as avian flu) refers to strains of the influenza virus that infect birds. Avian flu occurs worldwide and was first identified over 100 years ago. Normally avian flu viruses don't infect species other than birds and pigs. In 1997, however, the first documented human case of avian flu occurred in Hong Kong.

Why is bird flu a concern?
There is minimal risk of contracting bird flu from poultry in most parts of the world, including North America. You are at increased risk of contracting bird flu if you live in or travel to a risk area that is experiencing a bird flu outbreak in poultry (the Republic of Korea, Viet Nam, Japan, Thailand, Cambodia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Indonesia, and China). The World Health Organization updates this list periodically http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/ There is no evidence that eating properly cooked poultry or eggs can cause infection.

While a few instances of person-to-person transmission have been reported, the virus has not mutated to easily allow this type of spreading. Influenza viruses do mutate rapidly, increasing the likelihood that it may someday change to the point where it can be easily transmitted from one person to another. If this adaptation occurs, it will no longer be a bird virus; it will be a human influenza virus.

How is the bird flu transmitted?
Transmission can occur from infected poultry, primarily chickens and ducks, or their feces to humans and other poultry. There is no evidence that eating properly cooked poultry or eggs can cause infection. Your risk of contracting avian flu depends on your proximity to infected poultry; there is currently minimal risk for members of the Ohio State community.

What can faculty, students, and staff do to protect themselves?
The most important thing is to maintain good general health and to avoid spreading or contracting any contagious viruses. Doing these things will not make you immune to bird flu or any other communicable disease, but it will lessen the chances of infection and boost your overall resistance.

Get a flu shot—the vaccination will not protect you from the bird flu but will greatly reduce the risk of contracting the seasonal flu, which would lower your overall immunity.

• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, with soap. Use hand sanitizers if washing is not practical.
• Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cough or sneeze into a tissue, not your hand. If a tissue is not available, use your upper sleeve.
• Keep your resistance high: Eat nutritious foods, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep
• Practice good overall hygiene in your home or residence hall room. Maintain cleanliness, especially in kitchens and bathrooms.
• Consult your physician or call Student Health Services (292-4321) if you have these symptoms: fever, coughing, sore throat, muscle aches.
• Stay home if you are ill.
• Prepare a disaster supplies kit for your home or off-campus apartment. Visit the Red Cross web site for more: http://www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_91_,00.html

How will OSU take care of students, faculty, and staff if a flu pandemic occurs?
A comprehensive plan is being developed. It includes sending as many students as possible back to their family homes, providing basic shelter, food and health care for those who must remain, and closing the university if necessary. It is unlikely that this emergency plan will have to be implemented, but you should be reassured that Ohio State is prepared to take every step it can to protect your health and safety.

Discussing all the details of the plan at this point would only add confusion and lead to unproductive speculation in the campus community. University and public health officials are monitoring the situation very, very closely. Should there be a change that increases the likelihood that Ohio State University would be affected, we will provide additional information about our plans. At this time, you should not be unduly concerned, but should take the common sense precautions against contracting any communicable disease.

What are the symptoms of bird flu?
Symptoms of bird flu in humans consist of normal flu-like symptoms of coughing, sore throat, muscle-ache and fever. Eye infections, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress and other severe life-threatening complications can also accompany the disease.

What should I do if I have flu-like symptoms?
If you are faculty or staff, then you should contact your physician, and make an appointment to discuss your symptoms.

Students should contact the Wilce Student Health Service at 292-4321. The nurses there can discuss your symptoms and advise you whether you should come in for further evaluation.

Under what circumstances would the campus close because of bird flu outbreak? How will I be informed that campus is closing?
The health and safety of the university's students, faculty, and staff are the highest priority, and the decision to close campus would be based on the nature of the threat to this community. University leaders as well as local health department officials will continue to closely monitor the possibility of a bird flu outbreak, and will consult with each other in any decision about postponing classes or closing Ohio State.

Ohio State will use several communication channels to announce a closing including email, the Web, campus and local newspapers, radio and television.

Are there any preparations I should make in case a pandemic does occur?
If you are a student, then you might consider discussing with your family what arrangements you would make for returning home if the university shuts down, as well as make a list of the items you would take with you if you had to leave on short notice (anything irreplaceable or very valuable, plus textbooks and other items needed to continue coursework via the Internet). If you will be staying in your apartment or home, you might stockpile non-perishable food, batteries and other emergency supplies—this is good advice in any case, for other emergencies such as power outages, blizzards, tornadoes, etc. See Red Cross for more information: http://www.redcross.org/services/prepare/0,1082,0_91_,00.html

How would an emergency affect the OSU hospitals?
The Ohio State Medical Center would remain open during any emergency, and has developed a crisis plan to ensure that they can serve students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding community.

Where can I get reliable information?
This website will be kept up to date with OSU-specific information as well as links to key public health organizations, including the Columbus Health Department, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the World Health Organization.