Marin County, California, Influenza Information
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Seasonal Influenza Bird Flu - Avian Influenza Pandemic Influenza
It's the flu we catch from our family, friends and co-workers, usually during the fall.  It is a respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses, spread when infected people sneeze or cough. Usually people get sick one to three days after they have been exposed.  About 36,000 Americans die each year from the flu.  Most people can prevent or reduce flu symptoms by getting an annual flu shot, washing their hands before eating or drinking, and staying away from others who are sick. Many “bird flu” viruses occur naturally in wild birds, especially waterfowl and shorebirds and in domestic poultry.  The bird flu in the news is caused by the "H5N1" virus and is different because it is more deadly than some other bird flu viruses.  Infected birds can spread the virus through bodily fluids to other birds.  It can also spread to other animals including pigs, cats and rarely, to humans.  Bird Flu is extremely rare in humans and occurs primarily in people who live or work with infected birds. An epidemic caused by a new virus, for which people have no immunity,  spreads easily from person to person affecting a  large number of people is called a “pandemic.” Pandemics spread rapidly around the world. The current Bird Flu virus does not spread easily between people, but it could change (mutate) into a form that spreads easily from person to person.  No vaccines are available now, because a vaccine cannot be developed until the human pandemic flu virus exists
Influenza in Marin
Marin County Department of Health and Human Services takes an active role in influenza planning and prevention in Marin.  This website offers  up-to-date, critical information on local influenza planning, with information gathered from a variety of sources to help Marin residents and health care professionals better prepare for influenza outbreaks.
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