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Geisinger Health System wants to be prepared should it strike here. That’s why we’ve assembled this website. You’ll find useful background, answers to common questions, updates on Geisinger’s preparations, a checklist your family can use to prepare, and — if you want still more detail — links to national and international websites. We want to keep you informed with up-to-date reports so we as a community can work together and respond in a coordinated and effective manner.
Background
As the name suggests, Avian Influenza is mainly a bird disease. But the H5N1 strain of the virus has infected a small number of people and raised concerns among scientists that it may change into a form that can spread easily from person to person. Because the virus does not normally sicken people, we have little or no immune protection.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 138 people have died from 236 confirmed cases. These cases occurred mostly in Asia, with scattered incidence in Iraq, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Egypt and Djibouti. Most occurred where people had close contact with infected birds or contaminated surfaces.
Though these took place far away from the United States, that does not mean we are out of harm’s way. A traveler could unknowingly carry the virus on an airplane. And migratory birds, particularly from Alaska and along the Pacific flyway, are being monitored.
How is Geisinger Health System preparing for a flu pandemic?
Rest assured that Geisinger is gearing up to handle a crisis. A team is preparing internal plans for dealing with widespread illness. Internally, we’re coaching employees on how to cope should they or their family members become ill and services are disrupted.
Follow the links at right for more information and useful resources for your own personal planning.
