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TN Dept of
Health Pandemic Influenza Response Plan
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Bird Flu and Human Health
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 Of more recent concern for
animal and human health officials is the Asian H5N1 highly pathogenic strain
of bird flu found in parts of
Asia, Africa and Europe. While Asian H5N1 is highly infectious between
birds, it has only caused human illness and death in other countries where
people have handled or been in close contact with infected birds. Asian
H5N1 so far has not been shown to be transmissible from human to human and
has not been found in the United States. It is important to note that a
detection of Asian H5N1 or any other highly pathogenic bird flu would not
signal the start of a human pandemic. Health officials agree that the
virus would have to change before any significant human health risk would be
realized.
For
more information on human health planning and protection in Tennessee,
contact the Tennessee Department of Health at (615) 741-3111 or visit online
at http://www.tennessee.gov/health.
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