Avian and Pandemic Influenza (API): A Prevention-Oriented Approach

The current public health approach to avian influenza focuses on control and management after an outbreak has already occurred. While control methods have numerous benefits and have played a large role in containing outbreaks, although not until some days, weeks, and/or months following the initial infection(s), this approach does have its limitations. Not only is a focus on control following an outbreak very costly, but during the time after initial infection and the subsequent spread, recent research has found issues with the control of diseased bird/poultry populations, the sanitary removal of the diseased carcasses of deceased birds/poultry, and the treatment of AI among infected humans. Through focus groups and observational studies, researchers have also found lapses in the training and outreach provided to those individuals most at risk of exposure and contamination by HPAI H5N1.