Scientists across the world are racing the clock to develop a vaccine to combat a deadly strain of avian H5N1 influenza, or bird flu, which has the potential to trigger a global pandemic.
With migratory birds and global travel an airplane ride away, there is a real risk of bringing the virus to Nebraska. On April 13 and 20, UNMC’s Mini-Medical School will provide Nebraskans an opportunity to learn the facts about avian flu and how to prepare.
The free health educational series titled, “Avian Flu: Ready or Not” will run on two consecutive Thursdays, April 13 and 20, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (central time) in Omaha and at sites across the state.
During the series, UNMC experts will discuss the latest information on the virus, vaccines and precautions to take. State experts will provide updates on state and local preparedness plans and explain how the virus could travel to Nebraska and the risk that poses to wild and domestic animals.
The series will be broadcast live from the UNMC Durham Research Center Auditorium in Omaha, via satellite to 23 communities across Nebraska: Atkinson, Chadron, Columbus, Creighton, Grand Island, Harrison, Hastings, Holdrege, Kearney, Lincoln, Lynch, Neligh, Norfolk, North Platte, O’Neill, Osmond, Pender, Red Cloud, Rushville, Sidney, Scottsbluff, Wayne and West Point. In Omaha, it also will be broadcast to Clarkson West Medical Center, 144th & Center, Suite 200 A & B.
It also will be broadcast live on Nebraska Satellite System 2, Channel 102. Anyone with the downlink capability can tune in to the series.
There is currently no pandemic influenza in the world. But during the 20th century, the emergence of several new influenza A virus subtypes caused three pandemics, all of which were related to avian flu strains and all of which spread around the world within a year of detection. So far, the avian H5N1 virus has killed nearly 100 people in Asia and the Near East, but has not spread from human to human.
Because all influenza viruses have the ability to change and humans have little or no immune protection against them, scientists are concerned the virus could spread easily among humans. If it does, an influenza pandemic is possible.
Seating for Mini-Medical School is limited. Registration is required. To get more information about the series or to register, go to UNMC’s Mini-Medical School Web site. While the program is free to the public, continuing education credits are available to nurses (4.0 contact hours), and nurse practitioners, physicians and physician assistants (maximum of 4 category 1 credits) for $20 regardless of the number of sessions attended.