What is pandemic influenza?
A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. Pandemic influenza is a global outbreak of a new influenza A virus that causes serious illness. People have little or no immunity to the virus, and the disease easily spreads from person to person worldwide in a very short time. Currently, there is no pandemic flu.

What is avian (bird) influenza?
Avian influenza, or bird flu, is caused by influenza A viruses that occur naturally in birds. The avian flu currently causing concern is the H5N1 subtype.

Avian influenza usually does not infect humans; however, people who have been in close contact with infected poultry have become infected with the H5N1 virus, and more than half of those affected have died.

Currently, the spread of the H5N1 virus from person to person has been limited. Scientists are concerned that the H5N1 virus could one day change and be able to infect humans and spread easily from one person to another.

How can I find out more about pandemic influenza and avian influenza?
Federal and state governments and agencies have developed several Web sites to inform people about pandemic influenza and bird flu. The following sites provide detailed information:

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Pandemic Flu Web site
• Centers for Disease Control Avian Flu Web site 
• World Health Organization Avian Flu Web site--includes maps to track cases of avian influenza and migratory patterns of birds 
• State of Indiana Flu Information 

What can I do to reduce my risk of getting influenza?
Maintaining good health and practicing common-sense hygiene habits are ways to reduce your risk of contracting the flu or spreading it to others. Some tips include:

• When you are sick, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough. If you don't have a tissue, sneeze or cough into your upper sleeve, not your hands. Promptly put tissues into a wastebasket or plastic bag.
• After coughing or sneezing, always wash your hands with soap and water or clean them with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• If you are sick, stay home so you don't risk spreading the virus to other people.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick if possible.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. You can spread germs picked up from doorknobs, tables, or other surfaces.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand cleaner.
• Stay healthy by eating well-balanced meals, getting enough sleep, an exercising regularly.

What can I do to prepare for a possible pandemic?
You can find detailed planning checklists on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Web site at http://pandemicflu.gov. Some steps they recommend you take include:

• Having a two-week supply of food and water in case you cannot get to a store or stores are out of supplies. Examples of food to have on hand include: ready-to-eat canned meats, fish, vegetables, and soups; protein bars; dry cereal; peanut butter and nuts; and crackers.
• Having an extra supply of your regular prescription drugs.
• Having nonprescription drugs and other health supplies on hand including pain relievers, stomach remedies, and cough and cold medicines.
• Talking about how you would care for family members who became ill.

What is Ball State doing to prepare for a possible pandemic?
Ball State has put together a committee of university leaders to plan for a possible influenza pandemic. Representatives of the committee are working with groups from the City of Muncie and Delaware County to create a coordinated response.

The university has also developed this Web site to keep the public informed, will provide educational materials for students, and plans an opt-in e-mail services for parents and others to receive e-mail alerts.

How will Ball State keep me informed about university activities and events during a pandemic?
Ball State has developed this Web site to keep the community informed about pandemic influenza. In the event of a pandemic in the community, updated information about any closings or cancellations or other important notices will be posted to the site.

A system to allow you to sign up to receive e-mail alerts from Ball State is also in development. When the system is in place, you will be able to log on to this Web site and enter your e-mail address to receive notices from Ball State.