State, federal officials offer bird flu advice

Q. How could bird flu make its way to Alaska?

A. There are several possible routes. It could arrive via international commerce routes, such as pet or animal trade, said Rick Kearney, the wildlife program coordinator for the U.S. Geological Survey. Other possibilities are international travel of infected people or infected birds that migrate between Alaska and other parts of the world.

Q. What might a flu pandemic in Alaska be like?

A. Health officials made estimates based on the number of illnesses and deaths reported during the flu pandemics of the 1900s.

The next pandemic in Alaska could make 200,000 people sick. That's almost a third of the state's residents.

"If half of them seek medical care, that would be about 100,000 people showing up in clinics," said Dr. Jay Butler, the state's chief epidemiologist.

Q. Health officials say a vaccine likely won't be available at the beginning of a flu pandemic, and virus-fighting medication could be in short supply. What can an Alaskan do to try to prevent illness?

A. Dr. Richard Mandsager, the state's public health director, said Americans like to act like heroes, coming to work when they have fevers and aren't feeling well. That has to change, he said: When you're sick, you need to stay home.

Mandsager listed other ways to prevent flu from spreading:

• Wash your hands or use a hand sanitizer.

• Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough.

•Try not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth.

• Get sufficient rest and exercise, and eat well.

• Drink alcohol in moderation, or none at all.

• Stay away from tobacco smoke.

• Get a flu shot every year.

Q. What should businesses do to prepare for an outbreak?

A. Mandsager said businesses should look at whether they can continue providing their essential services if large percentages of employees are out sick. Human resources departments will need to consider ways to change the business, possibly allowing sick people to stay home and work.

"As you consider employees, consider families as well," Butler said.