Disease and Epidemic

Many diseases occur naturally. Health care professionals are constantly on alert for patterns or spread of certain diseases because they can create epidemics. Unfortunately, not all diseases are spread naturally. Bio-terrorism is the intentional spread of viruses, bacteria and other germs resulting in widespread disease. Category A biological agents are used in attacks because they cause the most illness and death among humans, they include: Anthrax, Botulism, Smallpox, Plague, Tularemia and Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers. It could be hours or even days before evidence of Bio-terrorism rises to the surface. It's critical to listen to public health officials as they will recommend the best course of action to take during such an incident. By following their directions, you may save your life.

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Anthrax

1. Anthrax Fact Sheet
   Texas Department of State Health Services
   http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/disease/anthrax/
2. Anthrax Basics
   Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
   http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/anthrax/

Influenza (Human)

1. University of Missouri Extension

   Sneeze & Cough into your Sleeve or Fabric [ English - Windows Media File ]

   Sneeze & Cough into your Sleeve or Fabric [ Spanish - Windows Media File ]

   Are you still coughing and sneezing the way they did during the plague? Into the air, your hands, tissues and handkerchiefs? Then you need to see this video. You'll learn to cough and sneeze in places that are less likely to spread infections and keep germs alive.

   MU Extension's Community Emergency Management group is promoting good coughing and sneezing techniques to minimize the spread of germs and disease. This five-minute video by Ben Lounsbury, MD, shows you where to cough and sneeze according to the infection control guidelines put forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
   

2. PandemicFlu.gov
   • Pandemic Flu Planning Checklist for Individuals & Families
     Department of Health & Human Services
     
   • Individuals & Family Planning
     Department of Health & Human Services
     
   • PandemicFlu.gov
   
   
3. RedCross.org
   • Pandemic Flu: Take Action
     American Red Cross
     
   • Preparing for a Flu Pandemic Fact Sheet: Coping and Emotional Well-Being
     American Red Cross
     
   • Pandemia de Gripe: Hoja informativa para la preparación familiar
     American Red Cross
     
   • Pandemic Flu: Family Preparedness Fact Sheet
     American Red Cross
     
   • Home Care for Pandemic Flu
     American Red Cross
     
     
4. National EDEN (eden.lsu.edu)
• Pandemic Flu Issues
  Extension Disaster Education Network
  
• Pandemic Influenza Preparedness for Faith-Based Organizations
  created by EDEN in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control
  and Prevention
• Pandemic Preparedness for Business - Course and Materials
  
5. The Centers for Disease Control (cdc.gov)
• Flu Shot - Questions & Answers
  
• The Flu - A Guide for Parents
• Influenza Symptoms, Protection, and What to Do If You Get Sick
  
• Key Facts about Influenza (Flu) Vaccine
  
• Free Flu Materials for Pandemic Flu
  
6. Is It the Flu? or Not?
   Ag News, Texas A&M University System, Agriculture Program
   http://agnewsarchive.tamu.edu/dailynews/stories/HEAL/Nov0206a.htm
   
7. What you should know about: Protecting Yourself During the Cold and Flu Season (Influenza)
   Texas Department of State Health Services
   http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/idcu/health/prevention/cold_flu/
   
8. Understanding the Flu
   U. S. Department of Health & Human Services
   http://www.pandemicflu.gov/
   

Influenza (Avian)

1. Avian and Pandemic Flu FAQ's
   Texas AgriLife Extension Service
2. Bio Security for the Birds
   U.S.D.A.
   http://www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/birdbiosecurity/
3. EDEN Avian Influenza Issue Page
   Provides: introduction, advice to flock owners and resources
4. Understanding Avian Influenza
   The University of Maryland
   http://www.agnr.umd.edu/HotTopics/AvianInfluenza.html
5. Avian Influenza
   Educational Resources from Purdue Extension
   http://www.ces.purdue.edu/eden/disasters/agro/AI/index.html

Isolation and Quarantine

1. Quarantine and Isolation Factsheet
   Created by Carol A. Rice, PhD, RN
   Family Development and Resource Management
   Texas AgriLife Extension Service, The Texas A&M University System, February 2007.
2. Isolation and Quarantine Factsheet
   Department of Health and Human Services
   The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
   http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/sars_facts/isolationquarantine.pdf

Botulism

1. Facts About Botulism
   Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
   http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/botulism/index.asp
2. What You Need to Know About Botulism
   Texas Department of State Health Services
   http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/preparedness/factsheet_botulism_public.shtm

Plague

1. Plague Information - Centers for Disease Control
   http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/plague/

Rabies

1. Rabies
   Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
   National Center for Infectious Diseases
   http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/rabies/

Smallpox

1. Smallpox Disease Information
   Centers for Disease Control
   http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/smallpox/disease/
2. What you need to know about Smallpox
   Texas Department of State Health Services
   http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/preparedness/factsheet_smallpox_public.shtm

Tularemia

1. Tularemia
   Centers for Disease Control
   http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/tularemia/
2. What you need to know about Tularemia
   Texas Department of State Health Services
   http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/preparedness/factsheet_tularemia_public.shtm

Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers

1. Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers
   Centers for Disease Control
   http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/vhf/
2. What you need to know about Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers
   Texas Department of State Health Services
   http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/preparedness/factsheet_vhf_public.shtm

West Nile Virus

1. West Nile Virus: Fight the Bite!
   Centers for Disease Control
   http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm
2. Mosquito Management and Control
   Texas A&M University, Department of Entomology
   http://insects.tamu.edu/extension/publications/3mosquit.html
3. Mosquito Control Gimmicks
   Texas A&M University System Agriculture Program
   http://agnewsarchive.tamu.edu/dailynews/stories/ENTO/May0103a.htm