American Veterinary Medical Association Responds to ABC Movie on Avian Influenza

American Veterinary Medical Association Responds to ABC Movie on Avian Influenza

SCHAUMBURG, Ill., May 9 /PRNewswire/ -- On Tuesday, May 9, ABC will air a made-for-television movie, "Fatal Contact: Bird Flu in America," depicting the possible consequences of a deadly strain of avian influenza mutating to a form that could transfer easily between humans.

Aired during sweeps week, the movie presents a sensationalized version of hypothetical events. A new strain of influenza proves deadly to humans (fiction) and can transfer easily among them (unproven), leading to public panic, food shortages, looting, quarantined neighborhoods surrounded by barbed-wire fencing and body bags being dumped into landfills or burned behind hospitals.

These scenes may generate buzz and increase the movie's ratings, but how likely are these events to occur?

The AVMA cannot speak to the disaster plans of individual states or the nation, but we are qualified to address the facts of avian influenza:

-- First, there are many types of avian influenza. The strain generating
the most media is H5N1, a highly pathogenic version that is deadly to
poultry and some wild birds. It can spread rapidly among entire flocks
of birds. Other, low pathogenic strains cause little or no disease in
poultry and some wild birds.
-- Since 2003, there have been about 200 human cases of H5N1 infection,
mostly in Asia; about half of those have been fatal.
-- To date, H5N1 has not been identified in the United States or North
America. Most of the human infections can be traced to close contact
with infected poultry. There have only been a few cases where human-
to-human transmission is thought to have occurred. In those cases, the
transmission did not continue beyond the immediate contacts of the
primary case.
-- According to the US Department of Agriculture, proper handling and
cooking of meat and eggs provides protection against contracting avian
influenza and other viruses.

To set up an interview with veterinary experts on avian influenza, including those who have screened the movie, contact Michael San Filippo, media relations assistant, at 847-285-6687 (office), 847-732-6194 (cell) or msanfilipp@avma.org.

For more information on avian influenza, click on the following:

AVMA Scientific Backgrounder
http://www.avma.org/public_health/influenza/default.asp

AVMA Frequently Asked Questions About Avian Influenza
http://www.avma.org/public_health/influenza/avian_faq.asp

The Official U.S. Government Web Site for Information on Pandemic Flu and Avian Influenza

http://pandemicflu.gov/

USDA Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usdahome?navtype=SU&navid=AVIAN_INFLUENZA

CDC Avian Influenza (Bird flu)
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/index.htm

WHO Avian Influenza Frequently Asked
Questions
www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/avian_faqs/en/index.html#poultry

The AVMA, founded in 1863, is one of the oldest and largest veterinary medical organizations in the world. More than 73,000 member veterinarians are engaged in a wide variety of professional activities. AVMA members are dedicated to advancing the science and art of veterinary medicine including its relationship to public health and agriculture. Visit the AVMA Web site at http://www.avma.org/ to learn more about veterinary medicine and animal care and to access up-to-date information on the association's issues, policies and activities.

http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usdahome?navtype=SU&navid=AVIAN_INFLUENZA
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/index.htm

Source: American Veterinary Medical Association

CONTACT: Michael San Filippo of the American Veterinary Medical
Association, +1-847-285-6687, Cell, +1-847-732-6194, msanfilippo@avma.org

Web site: http://www.avma.org/
http://www.avma.org/public_health/influenza/default.asp
http://www.avma.org/public_health/influenza/avian_faq.asp
http://pandemicflu.gov/

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