This week in pandemic flu, emerging infectious disease

Pandemic flu and preparedness are on the minds of state health workers around the nation, as evidenced by some of the news headlines reported this week by APHA’s Get Ready news Twitter.

Among the week’s highlights from the states include:
* Colorado preparedness campaign to host home reality competition
* Los Angeles County launches “Just Be Ready” preparedness campaign
* Virginia 4-H fairs forgo poultry because of bird flu fears
* Ohio county readies for pandemic flu
* Low-risk bird flu at Virginia turkey farm but not spreading

For links to these and dozens of other news stories and resources, visit the Get Ready Twitter.

New information is posted each weekday, so check back for updates, or sign up for our RSS feed.

Happy birthday to the Get Ready campaign!

Join APHA in celebrating the first anniversary of our Get Ready campaign. During the past year, we’ve made big strides in our effort to increase the number of Americans who are prepared for pandemic flu or other emerging infectious diseases, including:

* posting more than 80 blog entries;
* producing five podcasts;
* creating a public-friendly Web site featuring materials to help people prepare;
* starting a Get Ready news Twitter for quick updates on pandemic flu and emerging infectious disease news stories;
* debuting our own designer collection, with T-shirts, mugs and other apparel proudly featuring the Get Ready logo; and
* participating in a pandemic flu blog and summit sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

We have lots more to come, including a song contest, more podcasts and public events -- so stay tuned!

We hope by helping Americans prepare for pandemic flu and other emerging infectious diseases, it will also strengthen their preparedness for other threats to their health and lives, such as hurricanes or terrorism.

To help us celebrate our birthday, tell a friend (or two) about the Get Ready campaign! Please leave us birthday wishes, questions or suggestions by using the blog's comment feature below.

This week in pandemic flu, emerging infectious disease

This week's pandemic flu and emerging infectious disease news, as highlighted by APHA's Get Ready news Twitter include:

* Gates Foundation may fund bird flu vaccinations
* Study links flu in pregnant women with mental illness in children
* Indonesia confirms 81st human bird flu death
* Deporting TB patients creates high risk for not completing treatment
* Human antibodies that block SARS viruses identified

For links to these and more than two dozen other stories and resources this week, visit the Get Ready Twitter.

New information is posted each week day, so check back for updates.

Get Ready gear now available!

Worried about pandemic flu but not sure how to help? APHA's Get Ready campaign has a new line of T-shirts, mugs and other material that will help you spread the word.

Show your support for public health preparedness by sporting a Get Ready T-shirt, cap or tote. Each item features the Get Ready logo, which will undoubtedly cause people to ask: "Hey, what are you getting ready for?"

The Get Ready line includes shirts, bags, hats, mouse pads and buttons. There is even a special Get Ready shirt for your pooch and bib for your baby. Organic and value-priced shirts are also available.

Wearing the Get Ready items is a great way to get people talking and help spread the word about the importance of preparing for pandemic flu and other emerging infectious diseases.

The new materials are the latest addition to APHA's Get Ready campaign, which is helping Americans prepare themselves, their families and their communities for pandemic flu and other emerging infectious diseases. The campaign, launched in 2006, includes a website , podcasts, fact sheets and news feed in addition to this blog. APHA’s affiliated state and regional public health associations are working to bring the Get Ready campaign's message to communities.

Check out the new gear at the APHA Get Ready store .

Get an ear-full of flu news!

Concerned about pandemic influenza, but don't have the time to read through pages and pages of information? APHA's Get Ready campaign can help. Download our podcast series, now featuring our latest episode, to begin learning about pandemic influenza and preparedness. Just plug in your earphones and listen on the go. There's no reading required.

Our newest episode, "For pandemic flu prevention, the best advice may be 'rub-a-dub-dub,'" reminds listeners that (in this case anyway!) their mothers were right –- wash your hands! Handwashing proves to be one of the simplest and easiest ways to prevent the spread of disease, including flu.

The new podcast adds to the growing collection of Get Ready tools that help educate the public about protecting themselves, their families and their communities against a potential pandemic, as well as advise people on other issues such as news on the seasonal flu or infectious diseases.

Other entries in the series include "Flu 101," the two-part debut podcast, which features APHA Executive Director Georges Benjamin, MD, FACP, discussing the threat of pandemic flu and APHA's Get Ready campaign. "Seasonal Flu," covered in episode 3, paints an overview of the difference between pandemic and seasonal influenza.

Click here to check out our expanding podcast series: http://www.getreadyforflu.org/pg_podcast.htm

Give a listen, and send us your ideas on what topics you'd like to see covered in future podcasts using the comments feature on the blog below.