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Avian Influenza

The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) is committed to protecting the health of Michigan citizens, which includes planning for the possibility of an influenza pandemic.  While the current avian influenza A / (H5N1) outbreak in Asia, Africa and Europe has not yet reached the United States, everyone involved in the healthcare sector must be ready for such a situation.  As healthcare providers who interact with international travelers and visitors, you could possibly be faced with a patient infected with a novel or avian influenza virus.  In preparation of such an event, MDCH has compiled the following information regarding avian and pandemic influenza for travel clinics:
-  Avian Influenza: Michigan's Preparation and Response Brochure

-  How to Join the CDC U.S. Influenza Sentinel Surveillance Network

-  Avian Influenza H5N1 Testing Guidelines for Physicians Algorithm

- Laboratory Algorithms for Influenza Testing:

-  Interim Recommendations for Infection Control in Health-Care Facilities Caring for Patients with Known or Suspected Avian Influenza

-  Key Facts About Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) and Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus

-  Pandemic Influenza Planning Update

-  Current list of countries with confirmed cases of avian influenza H5N1


For additional information, the following websites may be helpful:

- The MDCH Influenza website at http://www.michigan.gov/flu

- The CDC Avian Influenza website at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/

- The WHO Avian Influenza website at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/


. at any time with any questions or for more informationlocal health departmentWe hope that you will find this information useful.  Because the current situation with H5N1 avian influenza is constantly changing, MDCH will update this information quarterly.  If you are a travel clinic or receive international travelers and are interested in receiving hard copies of these materials, contact the MDCH Bureau of Epidemiology at (517) 335- 8165.  In addition, please feel free to contact the MDCH Bureau of Epidemiology at (517) 335-8165 or your