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Every winter, the U.S. suffers a seasonal flu that kills approximately 36,000 Americans and hospitalizes more than 200,000. Terrible as that is, health experts are now warning about a far more lethal kind of flu - a pandemic flu that could kill over half a million Americans, hospitalize more than two million, cost our economy a staggering $70-$160 billion in lost productivity and direct medical expenses.
Public health authorities are particularly concerned about the H5N1 avian "bird flu" virus that could mutate into a new strain of flu against which humans would have no immunity.
If a severe pandemic were to hit the U.S., life as we know it could be seriously disrupted. Businesses and schools might have to shut down. Travel could be restricted. Essential government services - including sanitation, water, power, and social services - could be interrupted. The food supply could be affected. If the U.S. is to meet this threat, every segment of our society must be informed and prepared. That is why Trust for America's Health has created this website.
Pandemicfluandyou.org is a comprehensive resource guide on pandemic influenza. The site is a one-stop, easy-to-use web portal which contains the most current information and web based resources detailing how a flu pandemic might affect individuals, families, and businesses and what you can do to get informed, plan and prepare.
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Archive of 2006 Congressional Testimony
Avian Influenza: Agricultural Issues
CRS Report for Congress
Updated August 14, 2006
CSIS Briefing on Economics and Pandemic Flu
Reported U.S. bird flu probably no human threat, feds say.
CNN
August 14, 2006
Bird flu testing expanding to rest of U.S.
Associated Press
August 10, 2006
Local Tests Show Indonesian Teenager Died of Bird Flu
Reuters
August 8, 2006
New York Times
August 1, 2006
Avian Flu Articles
New York Times
Daily Articles
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