Reprinted from the Health District's quarterly publication mailed to district residents (Winter 2006)

Bird flu is no longer a hot topic in the news. Still, people in some parts of the world continue to get – and die from – the deadly H5N1 influenza virus.

Right now, this virus mostly affects birds. But there is a risk that someday it could change its form and cause widespread disease in humans – a flu pandemic. For that reason, public health experts continue to prepare for a serious pandemic that might kill many people and sicken countless more.

In Larimer County, a diverse group of community members has been preparing for a possible flu pandemic since last summer. Part of that effort is a new web site, LarimerFlu.org, aimed at helping local residents better understand and prepare for a pandemic or other communitywide emergency.

“It is designed to be a one-stop clearinghouse for local information on pandemic flu,” says Jane Viste, public information officer for the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment.

The web site includes basic information on the different types of flu and how to avoid catching a flu virus or passing it to others. It also has practical tips and links to other web resources that can help people prepare for the disruption of essential services that might occur during a pandemic.

For progress reports on local preparedness efforts, people can turn to the Local Information section. That's also where people will find frequently updated resource information in the event of an actual flu pandemic.

Finally, the web site has links to two videos on pandemic flu and a printable version of a new informative brochure produced by the Larimer County Pan-demic Influenza Planning Partnership. To receive a copy of the new flu brochure or to order in bulk, call and leave a message at  498-PFLU (7358).

This is the second in an occasional series of articles in Health District Compass regarding local planning efforts for a possible pandemic flu.