Yukon Kuskokwim Nushagak science

The story is not timely. However, it is good to be reminded that the possibility of pandemic influenza (highly pathogenic avian influenza) still exists. For us, it is still good to be reminded to take the usual precautions with wild game that have been shared at this blog.

This story will be published tomorrow. It is located at the LA Times website

• http://tinyurl.com/y3klxj LA Times

and at the KTLA TV website

• KTLA http://ktla.trb.com/news/la-sci-kipnuk22oct22

2006-11-09 New link

• http://tinyurl.com/y57bxo

This TinyURL redirects to:
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/la-s
ci-kipnuk22oct22,1,6204427,full.story?ctrack=
1&cset=true

Currently the video is flaky (unstable).

A few things to point out. Although the Feds had know about the sampling plan for over a year (sampling started in 2005) the news was not known until after the 2006 sampling and news coverage began. See early March, RE: Google news proxy
and Google news proxy measure — H5N1 public involvement

The flyers came out in mid-March, A Few Facts about Avian Influenza in Alaska, just after the news announcements of the 2006 sampling.

The strong effort to advertise there is no bird flu and that birds can be hunted, continued even after bird flu, including H5N1, was confirmed in the tested birds. This information has not been as widely disseminated. There has been little follow-up on local preparedness.

Alaska villagers living in bird flu’s flight path
What has brought the Eskimos sustenance for generations now may carry the deadly virus into North America

By JIA-RUI CHONG, Times Staff Writer, October 22, 2006

• http://tinyurl.com/y3klxj LA Times

Soon, latex gloves appeared on store shelves and Wild West-style posters started popping up around town: “Wanted: Birds of the Delta.” Researchers camped out in the town’s tribal council offices, preparing for trips to nearby Kwigluk Island with vials, swabs, nets and needles.

They came bearing a warning: The wild birds that the Yup’ik have hunted for millenniums may be carrying the first traces of the deadly bird flu virus from Asia into North America….

The nervousness has waned through the summer, said the 58-year-old ex-Army sergeant, but still, “We don’t joke about what we eat here.”

…The coastal location is one reason health officials chose Kipnuk as one of 10 villages for testing. The other main reason is the vigor of its hunters.

Kipnuk villagers hunt intensely through the summer, stocking up on birds, which they usually roast into a crispy meal or boil into a soup made with onions, rice and macaroni. Peter keeps two freezers stuffed with various birds — some plucked, some not….

…The health corporation began preparing residents in the spring with a newsletter outlining some of the dangers of bird flu.

The newsletter’s advice was simple: Don’t eat, drink or smoke when cleaning birds, and cook the meat thoroughly.

This has caused some problems.

One of the delicacies of tundra life is half-cooked eider. ..

As a chill set in, he disemboweled his birds in the traditional style: hooking one finger into the cloaca and tearing out the intestines with one motion.

He wiped his hand on the damp grass.

Peter said he was worried, but not that worried, yet. “Nobody’s gotten sick,” he said….

http://tinyurl.com/y6vyqv Video– “Drawing a line in the Tundra” [sic]

• Yup’ik Eskimos hunting (photos) - http://ktla.trb.com/news/la-birdflu-pg,0,4967582.photogallery?coll=ktla-news-1

I found the newstory had a mixed voice; an element of sympathy but also exoticism. Untouched by the reporter and by us is the neccessary larger discussion of “tradition” vs “modernism”. [If tradition weren’t evolving it wouldn’t be tradition and we would be extinct as a community. If Cabela’s and shotguns and freezers are indigenous hunting tools (and they are) so too are hand sanitizers and safe food handling. We know from our own history that once people get sick, in 1918, in 1950s, in 2005, it is too late for prevention. Part of tradition is getting ready; we need our institutions to catch up.]

It’s interesting, too, that The Birds are again the harbingers of human disasters (see Google news proxy measure — H5N1 public involvement). We forget to our peril that, to paraphrase Pogo, we have seen the environment and it is us.

Site Search Tags: cloaca, Kipnuk, hunter, LATimes, geese, video

Science 25 August 2006: Vol. 313. no. 5790, pp. 1088 - 1090
DOI: 10.1126/science.313.5790.1088

• http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/313/5790/1088

Desalination Freshens Up, by Robert F. Service
Efforts to provide clean, fresh water for the world’s inhabitants seem to be moving in the wrong direction. According to the World Health Organization, 1 billion people do not have access to clean, piped water. A World Resources Institute analysis adds that 2.3 billion people–41% of Earth’s population–live in water-stressed areas, a number expected to climb to 3.5 billion by 2025. To make matters worse, global population is rising by 80 million a year, and with it the demand for new sources of fresh water.

missing freshwater

The Yukon-Kuskowkim Rivers Delta, in the Bethel area, is a semi-arid region with generally 15 inches or less of precipitation per year. When last I checked, Bethel has about as much precipitation as Los Alamos, New Mexico in the high “desert”, including snow (54 inches).

The Kuskokwim Delta is aggrading (sinking or eroding away) instead of accreting (gaining sediment and area) as is the Yukon Delta. Unfortunately, I cannot find on-line the specific data and reports for the accretion or degrading status, nor analyses of possible causes. (If a reader knows this, please let the rest of us know.)

For at least a decade, the tundra ponds on the Kuskowkim delta have been disappearing—

• they may be sinking (the permafrost holding them up may be disappearing. Last year nearby ponds look like a bathtub with the plug pulled)
• the land may be rising (but we haven’t had the weight of glaciers above us in the past)
• the pattern of precipitation may have changed (more occurs in warmer months which may result in more evaporation)
• the amount of precipitation may have decreased
• people use much more water (especially on piped systems)
• there are many more people using water
• sea level may be changing (fresh water floats on top of salt water)

No matter the cause, we do not seem to have now, and will likely not have for the next generation, sufficient water clean enough for essential uses.

You’ll have to contact the company to order (not yet widely available). The idea is fun and might work. But it will cost more than ordinary soap. It might backfire in that without the device, will hands be washed the equivakent of two happy birthday sings? On the other hand (sic), habits once engrained are easily retained.

The squid thing is neat. And the soap is NOT anti-microbial (hurray!)

SquidSoap dispenser shows you when you’re done scrubbing
Squid Soap’s mission is to “train tomorrow’s great hand washers.” The pump-bottle is decorated with a plastic squid, and the top of the pump has an ink-stamper that leaves a ring on your hand when you pump your soap. Once you’ve scrubbed enough to remove the ink-stamp, you’ve also scrubbed enough to kill the germs on your hands.

from BoingBoing

• http://www.boingboing.net/2006/09/22/squidsoap_dispenser_.html

Friday, September 22, 2006

via the great site, http://medlib.med.utah.edu/blogs/BHIC/

New: CDC’s 2006-07 Flu Gallery Materials
On August 21, CDC posted an array of downloadable patient and provider education materials to its influenza web section: Patient education materials for the 2006-07 flu season; provider education materials for the 2006-07 flu season; patient screening form for trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV); Stop the Spread of Germs posters and flyers in several languages; fact sheets in several languages and influenza vaccine VISs. Materials:

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/patiented.htm

Nothing too new, but there is an inclusion of GUIDANCE FOR AIRLINE FLIGHT CREWS
http://www.osha.gov/dsg/guidance/avian-flu.html

American Public Health Association Offers Behavioral Hygiene Promotion Research Grants to Young Faculty and Students

Deadline: October 1, 2006

The International Health Section of the American Public Health Association (http://www.apha-ih.org/), in collaboration with Colgate Palmolive (http://www.colgate.com/), has announced the second annual round of a small grants program to support young faculty and students in schools of public health to carry out community-based field research in behavioral hygiene.

These competitive grants will be awarded for community-based research projects investigating the role of hygiene (especially handwashing with soap) in personal and community health and infection control, including investigations about the knowledge of proper hygiene habits, hygiene motivation, and behavior change. The research should focus on mothers, families, and children in resource-poor settings.

Three awards of approximately $10,000 each will be made, on the basis of merit, but with preference being given to projects in one of the following countries: Puerto Rico, Mexico, Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Thailand, Malaysia, South Africa, Senegal, Kenya, Mozambique, or the United States (with migrant or immigrant populations). Awards are to be made through schools of public health based in the United States or in another country as long as the field
research is carried out in one of the above countries.

Visit the APHA International Health Section Web site for additional information.

RFP Link:

http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10003418/apha-ih

For additional RFPs in Health, visit:

http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/cat_health.jhtml

Site Search Tags: public+health, hand+washing, grants, children, student, hygiene

Native America Calling did a program today about MRSA so I figured I’d better finish this draft post. We had several people from Bethel call-in with good tips.

The TIME magazine article says the resistant bacteria are “racing across the US” but we have had a high prevalence here in the region for some time. It would be nice if someone could find the figures for the number of cases per capita per year, the trends over time, and just how sick people get.

Protection against acquiring the resistant infection is similar to that of protecting against H5N1—wash your hands, maintain your health. If we reduce our disease load (morbidity), for example, lessen the number of MRSA cases, then we have a better chance of not getting as sick from any epidemic.

A nasty, drug-resistant staph infection–the kind usually seen in hospitals–is racing across the U.S.
By CHRISTINE GORMAN, Sunday, Jun 18, 2006,

“It has spread rapidly through parts of California, Texas, Illinois and Alaska and is beginning to show up in Pennsylvania and New York.

Read the rest of this entry »

In early March 2006 the Federal agencies announced their bird sampling activity for the summer. An immediate question from the communities here was—what to do with dead birds? (If the birds are dead from a highly pathogenic virus, no one wants to leave them on the tundra, right?) The BrdFlu Hotline did not then have an answer, except that the carcasses should be disposed of. “Do you mean fling them away?” (We are off the road system. There are no sanitary landfills. Dead birds will be found away from Villages and who wants to bring them home to throw in the dump?) The hot line was going to get back to me with a consensus.

In the meantime, down below is what other areas have suggested. These suggestions (double- bagging) are mostly for areas with few occurrences of multiple dead birds and with access to landfills. The state of Alaska suggestions are for poultry farms. I still don’t know enough to provide suggestions. Here are some things to consider (keep in mind the idea is to lessen risk)—
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MMWR Recommendations and Reports
Volume 55, No. RR-8, June 9, 2006

Extensive water damage after major hurricanes and floods increases the potential for mold contamination in homes and other buildings. Although undisturbed mold is not a substantial health problem, the fungus is a greater hazard for persons with impaired host defenses or allergies. This report presents information on how to prevent the growth of and limit exposure to mold and how to prevent mold-related health effects.

full text

from the Environmental Protection Agency newslist on aging [aging_initiativ] May, 2006 EPA Aging Initiative List Serve. Note that they are suggesting the use of “disinfecting” soaps, although by EPA’s own rules these soaps cannot be labelled as “disinfectants” and the active ingredient has not been demonstrated as any more effective than plain soap.

The City of Bethel has been providing copies of the Alaska state 2006 Spring Flood Breakup Guide available in pdf format here http://www.ak-prepared.com/community_services/ acrobat_docs/2006_SpringFloodBreakup_SOP.pdf.
It has some good recommendations for preparedness, few of which Bethel has implemented. A most important addition would be a topographic map of all the low-lying areas so newcomers would know when their roads would be cut-off.

EPA Urges Caution When Working in Areas Exposed to Contaminated Flood Water - Website Available with Flooding Information
http://www.epa.gov/aging/press/epanews/2006/2006_0517_1.htm
(Boston, Mass. - May 17, 2006) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is cautioning the public and all responders about the potential hazards associated with flood waters. Every effort should be made to limit contact with flood water due to potentially elevated levels of contamination associated with raw sewage and other hazardous substances.

EPA offers the following guidelines for those in contact with flood water:

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These guidelines are a draft localized version which can be used by ordinary people at camp, field, or at home. These guidelines have been taken from technical documents produced by the World Health Organization, Reckitt Benckiser Inc., Clorox.com, and other technical sources (listing at end).

Unlike the “masks” and “hand sanitizer” guidelines, “disinfection” turned out to be surprisingly more difficult to track down. This is because in the USA, chemicals which act as “disinfectants” must not only comply with scientific standards but also EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) regulatory standards.

Disinfectant — A chemical agent that destroys pathogenic microorganisms (not spores). The term is generally used for an agent that destroys organisms on inanimate objects (surfaces) rather than on people or animals.

Sanitizer — An agent that reduces (through killing) the number of bacteria to a safe level. This means a 99.9% kill as set by public health requirements. This term is also applied to agents used to control the microbial population in food service, food preparation and food processing areas. These are called food-contact surface sanitizers and require a 99.999% kill.

Disinfectants and sanitizers, therefore, are considered pesticides because they destroy microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi that are found in the environment (excluding microorganisms on or in humans and animals). All claims, and changes in claims, on disinfectants and sanitizers must be made with the EPA’s registration and acceptance.

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Washing hands if done properly is one of the most important things anyone can do to avoid infectious diseases, toxics poisoning, and other means of injuring one’s self and others. Although handwashing is such an important tool in community protection, it is easily learned by the youngest members of society. However, like all safety measures and skills, it takes practice. Too often adults forget how important handwashing is and frequently shirk it.

In the field or at camp or where clean water is scarce, handwashing takes a little more planning. This is also the case when going to the store, riding in a cab, visiting the hospital clinics, or handling cash at a bank. Hand sanitizers can be an effective addition to handwashing.
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Masks are frequently the first things we think of when hearing about infections or bank robbers. A mask can also be a dance or used in theatre.

But within the context of health and safety, protective masks fall within two groupings- breathing out and breathing in.

Breathing out
“Surgical Masks” are used to prevent the spread of exhaled germs. These masks help keep you from infecting others by breathing or speaking onto people. These are often the masks one sees on TV shows such as ER or in news photos about the SARS illnesses in China. In other cultures, using surgical masks is a polite way to prevent the spread of seasonal flu and colds in public places. Sneezing or coughing into a tissue (such as Kleenix® ) serves a similar purpose.

Breathing in
“Respirators” are specialized masks to prevent inhalation of particulates. They must meet certain standards to be called respirators. In the US, respirators must be “NIOSH-approved” (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health). A quick guide to respirators is included in the Pamphlet-Pueblo Crafts & Healthy Lungs

⇒ It is easy to give one’s self a false sense of security by wearing a bandanna or a dust mask instead of a NIOSH-approved respirator. Your health can be damaged as a result of using the wrong type. ⇐

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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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The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation is also responsible for inspecting public facilities for sanitary conditions. There webpages have excellent resources, guides, stickers, cards, etc. They also have training sessions for food handlers. Their Dos and Don’ts for temprary food service (church suppers, schools, potlucks, carnivals, etc.) has good ideas for everyday use at home, too.

Dos and Don’ts
http://www.dec.state.ak.us/eh/fss/establishments/dosdonts.htm

Home Food Safety 1-87-SAFE-FOOD or 269-7501
http://www.dec.state.ak.us/eh/fss/consumers/homesafety.htm

“Government says 165 degrees will kill bird flu, other viruses ”
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/health/
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These hardcopy brief guides or handouts are recommended for their accuracy and clarity. [updated 14apr2006]

This comes from the National Defense University, Center for Technology and National Security Policy (CTNSP). Both posters are in the recommended grouping, along with the Getting Sick Stinks.

Bird Flu & You: A Quick Guide to Protecting Yourself and Your Family from Bird (Pandemic) Flu
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From slide collection, Department of Medical Microbiology, Edinburgh University

“Airborne microorganisms

Airborne particles are a major cause of respiratory ailments of humans, causing allergies, asthma, and pathogenic infections of the respiratory tract. Airborne fungal spores are also important agents of plant disease, and the means for dissemination of many common saprotrophic (saprophytic) fungi.

Here we consider:

* some important respiratory diseases of humans
* the roles of airborne spores in crop diseases
* the methods used to monitor spore populations in the air”

http://helios.bto.ed.ac.uk/bto/microbes/airborne.htm#crest

also from
WELCOME TO FUNGAL BIOLOGY
This website provides learning and self-assessment resources, and many colour images to supplement the information in the book, FUNGAL BIOLOGY,
A Textbook by JIM DEACON, Blackwell Publishing 2005″

http://helios.bto.ed.ac.uk/bto/FungalBiology/index.htm

Getting Sick Stinks!
Sanitation placard about honeybuckets, hauling water and hand washing.

Instructional Activities for Community Sanitation
A Teacher’s Resource Guide: The manual contains 29 individual activities, intended for high school level students, emphasizing village sanitation; water, wastewater, solid waste and personal hygiene issues.

University of Alaska Sitka

from the March 22, 2006 edition
As experts ponder world water crisis, teenagers show creativity
By Monica Campbell | Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor

MEXICO CITY – As water experts meet in Mexico City to debate the world’s daunting water crisis, 15-year-old Dolly Akhter is here to share her simple approach.

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If someone could help locally distribute the state’s Fish & Game pamphlet on what hunters should know, please contact Phil Perry at F&G in Bethel. Is there a store or post office or tribal office where people could come to pick up the pamphlets?

Local number for Phil is 543-2979. Toll free number in Alaska is 1-800-425-2979

What Hunters Should Know About Avian Influenza

Tips that can help you avoid avian influenza (Bird Flu) come from World Health Organization for Southeast Asia, where domestic poultry are kept at home and markets. I list below the ones that also apply to non-poultry areas like us.

14apr2006, I find this WHO site from the western Pacific region one of the best sites for information that is valid and written to be understandable by the general public, especially in rural or remote areas. Pam
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Learn more about…

http://www.cdc.gov/germstopper/

Healthy habits can protect everyone from getting germs or spreading germs at home, school, or work. Simple actions, like covering your mouth and nose and cleaning your hands often, can stop germs and prevent illnesses and reduce sickdays. Use this Web site as a resource for tips, tools, and facts to stop the spread of germs.

Stop the Spread of Germs that Make You and Others Sick!
Serious respiratory illnesses like influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), whooping cough, and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) are spread by:

• Coughing or sneezing
• Unclean hands

To help stop the spread of germs,

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
• Put your used tissue in the waste basket.

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