Yukon Kuskokwim Nushagak science

Because of the pandemic awareness, this was supposed to be the year of pushing seasonal flu immunization. Our flu vaccine only arrived towards the end of last week; last year we could get shots in September. (We seem to be among the earliest regions in the state or country to catch seasonal influenza.)

This year, flu shots have more than doubled in price through Alaska state Public Health, from $12 to $25 each. Fortunately, they do offer a sliding fee.

Public health will be practicing mass vaccination on Saturday, October 28, in Bethel (at the Armory). This is essential practice for an actual pandemic—how quickly can people be vaccinated? Flu shots will be free then.

For more info contact Public Health at 543-2110 or to make an appointment for a flu shot prior to the end of October.

[Read up on flu vaccine here,

• Pandemic presentation (Rashid Chotani, MD) - http://ykalaska.uniblogs.org/?p=126

]

In a Flu-Season Turnabout, Officials See Wealth of Vaccine

from the New York Times (Registration Required)

WASHINGTON, Oct. 5 - After approving a fifth flu vaccine for sale, public health officials are predicting that for the first time in four years there will be abundant supplies of vaccine this season.

In all, four manufacturers are expected to make as much as 115 million doses this year, a record supply. That is up from just two manufacturers making about 61 million doses two years ago.

The turnaround is the culmination of a long effort by public health officials and vaccine manufacturers to recover from chronic flu-shot shortages that led to long lines at vaccine clinics across the United
States. For the last two years, health officials had instructed providers to give shots in the early weeks of the season only to those deemed at highest risk. Not so this year.

To read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/06/us/06flu.html Or: http://tinyurl.com/rsxqe

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….How would the YK Delta respond to a pandemic?

In preparation for the possibility of a pandemic, organizations in the YK Delta have joined together to plan a coordinated response.

These organizations include the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation, the Association of Village Council Presidents, Bethel Regional Public Health Center, Bethel Family Clinic, other departments from the State of Alaska, and local emergency responders.

Our goal is to keep the people of the YK Delta informed with the most accurate information about any developments or risks associated with the H5N1 “bird flu” or any other possible pandemic that could impact the people of the YK Delta. In the event of a pandemic, our planning committee is focused on assuring a coordinated response and recovery to our villages in the YK Delta….

Read the entire article in the

YKHC Messenger, July 15, 2006
http://www.ykhc.org/1250.cfm

This is the newly released translation into Yup'ik of the interagency flyer (A Few Facts about Avian Influenza in Alaska - http://ykalaska.uniblogs.org/2006/03/21/ a-few-facts-about-avian-influenza-in-alaska/)

The flyer itself is in a pdf file, but this linked photo may still be readable and easier to email. (Let me know, please.)

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Please add (or correct) to this list via the comments box below. This is a listing of local supplies. Some may be commercial outlets (for example, stores) and others may be local caches (firehouse). All Villages with retail stores should have bar soap and dish soap. However, not all communities may have access to hand sanitizers, respirators, etc. Be sure to read the background information about sanitizers, masks, and disinfectants (section to be posted shortly). Pam
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This is a listing of people in our region or Villages who are the immediate contacts for information or to relay questions. Please keep in mind that many of them are full-time employees with their own work to do. Nevertheless they are willing to help as much as they can.

Governmental employees may refer you first to their official agency speakers or to their agency webpages for information (see the category info sources). [Although special appropriation of federal funds has been directed to each state for use in H5N1 bird monitoring, it isn’t yet being used for local offices or extra personnel out here.]

Please add additons or corrections in the comments box below.

Pam
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If you see a group of dead or sick birds, especially if something you notice seems unusual, call 1-866-5-BRDFLU, (1-866-527-3358). 14apr2006 revised state alert notice To report dead or sick birds, where no obvious cause is apparent, call the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hotline at 1-866-5-BRDFLU (1-866-527-3358). Do not handle birds found sick or dead!

A Few Facts about Avian Influenza in Alaska (bird flu) 1 page. Also entitled Avian Influenza: “Bird Flu” Facts. For more information:
http://alaska.fws.gov/media/avian_influenza/index.htm
[2006april26 Unfortunately, the link from there to the actual flyer on the state’s webpage is broken, and one gets into an endless loop trying to find the true location.]

Avian Influenza: Some Questions and Answers about Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) also listed as 40 Questions; 40 Answers. [2006april26 This link at the state is also broken.]
Contents:

• First, the Basics:
• General information
• What can I do to protect myself from H5N1?
• Information for Hunters
• Information about Wild Bird Surveillance in Alaska
• Domestic Birds and Animals
• Can I Catch the Asian H5N1 Virus if…?

Donna Hanley at the Yukon Delta Wildlife Refuge has copies of these information pamphlets.

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Donna L. Hanley, EdS, Education Specialist
Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge
PO Box 346
Bethel, Alaska 99559
907-543-1015
Donna_Hanley AT fws DOT gov