Dog Bite Prevention

Did you know that 4.7 million people in the United States are bitten by dogs every year? According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, children are by far the most common victims of dog bites and usually suffer severe injuries because of it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that the rate of dog bite-related injuries is highest for those ages 5 to 9 years.

Furthermore, most dog bites affecting young children occur during every day activities while interacting with familiar dogs, according to the AVMA. The CDC reports that the more dogs that live in the home, the higher the incidence of dog bites. Adults with two or more dogs in the household are five times more likely to be bitten than those living without dogs in the home.

Animals are wonderful companions for children and adults alike, so the resolution to the dog bite issue doesn’t require giving up your beloved animal. With May 20-26 being Dog Bite Prevention Week, the AVMA is connecting with various health agencies across the nation to help people avoid dog bites.

There are several actions you can take to help reduce your chances of being bitten. The AVMA suggests the following list:

1.       When selecting a pet, do not act on impulse. Research the type of dog that would best fit into your home; spend some time at an animal shelter or breeder to see how a specific dog interacts with you and your family.

2.       Make sure your pet is socialized as a young puppy so that it feels at ease and unthreatened around people and other animals.

3.       Never put your dog in a position where it feels threatened or teased. Its natural defense mechanism is to lash out and bite.

4.       Walk and exercise your dog regularly to keep it healthy and provide mental stimulation.

5.       Avoid playing highly excitable games like wrestling or tug-of-war with your pet because it could promote aggressiveness, increasing the risk of biting.

6.       Use a leash in public to ensure you have your dog under control.

7.       Keep your dog healthy by having it routinely vaccinated against rabies and other preventable infectious diseases.

8.       Make sure you spay or neuter your pet. Aggression can sometimes be sparked by its natural tendencies to mate.

While you are working with your dog to keep it healthy and trained, you also must work with your children to teach them appropriate behaviors around dogs and other animals. Teach your child how to treat their own pet and other animals with respect. They should not tease or smack the dog, but handle it with care and kindness. Also, children must learn not to approach strange dogs or try to pet dogs through fences. The animal’s natural instinct is to protect its environment and will strike out if they feel their territory is compromised. Furthermore, it is courteous to teach your child to always ask permission from the dog’s owner before petting an animal. Dog owners should know if their pet will growl or bite and should refuse any strangers to approach their animal.

Most importantly, both the CDC and AVMA strongly encourage families to never leave a baby or small child alone with any sized dog, even if it is their own pet. A baby does not yet understand the animal, nor does the animal understand the baby. Even a small bite to a baby could be a fatal one.

Be smart and prevent dog bites. The AVMA’s website has a variety of resources to help you and your family about dog behaviors and dog bite prevention. Visit them at http://www.avma.org/public_health/dogbite to obtain some teaching tools. In addition, your veterinarian can also supply you with information on working with your dog to prevent biting.

Dog Bite Emergencies

If you are bitten by a dog, here is a checklist of things you should do:

   1. If the dog's owner is present, request proof of rabies vaccination, and get the owner's name and contact information.

   2. Clean bite wound with soap and water as soon as possible.

   3. Consult your doctor immediately or go to the emergency room if it's after office hours.

   4. Contact the dog's veterinarian to check vaccination records.

Information obtained from the American Veterinary Medical Association.

References:

American Veterinary Medical Association. (2012). Dog bite prevention. Retrieved May 8, 2012 from http://www.avma.org/public_health/dogbite/.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012). Dog bit prevention. Retrieved May 8, 2012 from http://www.cdc.gov/HomeandRecreationalSafety/Dog-Bites/biteprevention.html.

Teaching Others Brings Great Rewards

For the past seven years, I have been coordinating a sports fitness program for children known as Way to Win for Life (better known by the kids as W2W). While the program exists to help increase physical activity among children, this year has seen an unanticipated result among the instructors.

Over the past school year, 11 different sports were introduced to more than 400 children in Crawford County. Most of those sports were taught by members of Allegheny College’s sports teams and clubs while other instructors came from programs at the Meadville Family YMCA. Although the W2W program’s intent was to give the children a unique experience with a new sport, this year’s program presented a special reward to every instructor, all of whom couldn’t place a price on it.

“This time of year is really stressful with finals coming up,” commented one of the members from the Allegheny College Track and Field team. “But, coming to teach the kids this week about track and field has become my stress relief. They are so fun and really have a good time with the sport. It is definitely the highlight of my week.”

Five members of the track team recently taught 200 children from the YMCA’s after-school program the long jump, high jump, javelin throw, relay racing, and many other aspects of the sport. Although the children had just met the college student teachers, many of them handed out hugs at the end of the hour-long session. “It is so rewarding and I felt so good about it,” remarked another student.

Also last month, the Meadville YMCA’s swim instructors led by Aquatics Director Laura Singo gave two groups of 7^th graders, one from Maplewood and the other from Cambridge Springs, lessons at Allegheny College’s pool. Several instructors provided guidance on swim techniques, but the most rewarding was watching students actually learn how to swim for the first time. “It was so enjoyable knowing you were offering these kids a new and important skill,” commented one of the instructors who taught both sessions. “I had to come back for the second group since I had so much fun with the first group!”

Giving of oneself has often been touted as one of the most beneficial aspects of life. Because of the “feel good” sense that comes with giving, the body reacts in such a positive way that it improves overall well-being. Happiness studies have shown that the general giving of the self is a reward in itself; however, when you are teaching others a skill for which you have exceptional passion, the positive reward multiplies exponentially.

That is exactly what had transpired through the 2011-2012 W2W program. Those who taught various sports will reap the positive healthy benefits such as lower blood pressure, improved self-esteem, and increased mental health. So, I would like to recognize those who have not only graciously introduced their sport to the children of Crawford County but they have also gained significant health benefits: Allegheny College’s Kendo Club, Track and Field team, Fencing Club, and Women’s Basketball team; the Meadville Family YMCA’s Modern and Classical Dance Instructor Jacki Moyers, and the YMCA’s Swim Team and Learn to Swim Instructors; and the Saegertown High School Key Club (who taught ultimate Frisbee).

Kudos for being part of a child’s life, and congratulations for improving your own health in the process! Keep on teaching others – it will help you more than it will help your students.

W2W4Life is a Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield-funded program offered under the auspices of the Meadville Family YMCA. Any group or school can request the W2W program for their students by contacting me at nina@w2w4life.com. Furthermore, if you have a sports team and would like to reap the benefits of teaching others, contact me at the same email address.

Music Soothes All Generations

“What is that you’re holding?” asked the Grandmother quizzically.

“It’s an MP3 player, Grandma! It has all my favorite music!” The 10-year-old child responded as if his grandmother should have known about the small shiny device he held.

Looking thoughtfully, Grandma leaned back in her chair and carefully told the child, “When I was your age, we had a Victrola.”

“What’s a Victrola?” The child struggled with the word.

Smiling as she looked at the MP3 player. “It’s like your device there, but much bigger.”

“It must have been hard to carry it around everywhere,” the child said, eyes wide.

Grandma let go a laugh. “We didn’t carry them around. We played records on them.”

The child stared at his grandmother, twisting his mouth into a wrinkled grin. “What is a record?”

Holding her hands in the air to form a round shape with her thumbs and forefingers, she described, “It is a large round disc made of vinyl. And, it held all my music on it.”

The child glanced at his MP3 player then back at the large round form his grandmother shaped with her hands and formed an astonished look on his face. “Wow, you must have had thousands of songs on something that huge!”

As you might imagine, this conversation and ones similar to it probably took place in every generation. But despite the changes in music formats over the years – from 78 records to 33 1/3 albums to cassette tapes and 8-tracks to CDs and now all sorts of digital recordings – the benefits of sound have remained consistent throughout the generations. Decades of research have shown music therapy to improve the well-being of people suffering from dementia and other long-term diseases; however, healthier individuals should also subscribe to a daily dose of music therapy to maintain and even improve their well being.

In ancient times, music was used as a healing tool, and was actually recognized as such by Pythagoras, Aristotle and Plato. During their time, they believed what research has since proven… that the quality of human life (physically, emotionally, cognitively and overall well-being) could be enhanced by just listening to music.

As people age, they often skip over some of life’s simpler enjoyments such as kicking back and listening to good music, whether it be via your old Victrola or through an iPod download. Skipping that simple pleasure of music could actually be detrimental to your health.

A 2007 study in the Journal of Happiness Studies found that people over age 65 who listened to music in their everyday life had improved psychological well-being and life satisfaction than those who did not regularly listen to music. In addition, they also reported experiencing more positive emotions, such as feelings of pleasure and relaxation as well as improved mood regulation. Two years later, the International Journal of Mental Health Nursing reported that people over the age of 65 could lower their risk of depression by listening to music. The research found that tuning into their most desirable sound lowered depression, blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate.

Here are 10 specific health benefits you could receive just by kicking back and listening:

1.       A natural pain killer. Music can divert your attention away from pain and encourage relaxation. A study in the Journal of Advanced Nursing found that listening to music reduced chronic pain by up to 21 percent.

2.       Reduces stress. Music can reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. A study found that listening to a half-hour of soothing music twice a day for two weeks significantly reduced anxiety in people.

3.       Lowers blood pressure. A study found that people who listened to music for just 30 minutes a day for one month had significant reductions in their blood pressure. In addition, the soothing music reduced the risk of stroke and other cardiovascular issues.

4.       Stimulates brain cells. Research found that music with a strong beat stimulates brainwaves to resonate in sync with the beat, bringing sharper concentration and more alert thinking. Listening to softer, classical music improves focus over longer periods of time, promoting a more meditative state. It was found that these effects often lasted long after the music ended.

5.       Boosts exercise performance. Music will often divert your attention from feeling fatigued and exhausted during a workout. Ever wonder why nearly all exercise classes use music? It helps intensity the workout, boosting performance as well as weight loss.

6.       Promotes sound sleep. Listening to music can reduce daily stress, putting your body in a more relaxed state that can assist in your sleep cycle.

7.       Increases optimism. Listening to music that you enjoy can perk up your mood, increase self-esteem and boost self-confidence. The positive music promotes a positive state of mind, keeping depression and negativity away.

8.       Assists cancer patients. According to research, music reduces anxiety in patients suffering from the effects of radiation and chemotherapy.

9.       Assists with socialization skills. Music has been known as a great conversation-starter as well as a method of bringing people together who share a similar passion. Rock concerts, symphonies or dances bring a variety of people together mainly because of their love of the music style being shared that evening.

10.   Improves spiritual health. Music has been used for spiritual connections across most religions. It is a way of worship or connecting to the Higher Power of the particular church. Chanting and other sounds are also considered modes of music used for spiritual health.

Considering that listening to music takes virtually no effort, every generation can enjoy the benefits. Make music a daily part of your lifestyle and take pleasure in knowing you are improving your health in the process.

References:

Chaudhari, M. (2010). 10 benefits of listening to music. Retrieved April 3, 2012 from http://www.lifemojo.com/lifestyle/10-benefits-of-listening-to-music-19402577.

Chan, M. F., Chan, E. A., Mok, E., & Tse, F. Y. K. (2009). Effect of music on depression levels and physiological responses in community-based older adults. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 18, 285-294. doi: 10.1111/j.1447-0349.2009.00614.x.

Laukka, P. (2007). Uses of music and psychological well-being among the elderly. Journal of Happiness Studies, 8, 215-241. doi:I 10.1007/s10902-006-9024-3.

Are You Having a Brain Attack?

Heart Attack. Most people understand these two terrifying words, but what about these two words: Brain Attack.

Just like a heart attack causes the heart to stop, a brain attack causes a malfunction in the brain. More commonly referred to as a stroke, brain attacks literally cut off the blood flow and oxygen to the brain leaving many people permanently paralyzed and others dead.

The biggest shock about brain attacks is that they are not just a senior citizen malady. In fact, a recent report by the National Stroke Association showed a sharp rise in incidence rates of people ages 15 to 44 who were hospitalized because of a stroke.

I recently sat down with stroke survivor Mike Zeller of Cochranton who suffered his stroke during his early 40s. At the time of that stroke, back in 2006, doctors predicted he would live only 24 more hours. Six years later, Zeller and his wife Kathy are strong advocates for stroke prevention, support, and awareness. While he walks with a cane and has permanent left-side paralysis, Mike displays a genuine positive attitude toward life. His mission today is to spread awareness among the community about the danger signs of stroke.

“People don’t think it can happen to them,” Zeller said, indicating he was once one of those people. Since his miraculous recovery, Zeller has joined the Different Strokes Stroke Support Group for which he has developed a brochure that talk about brain attacks. The group is planning their first Stroke Awareness Walk for Fitness scheduled for May 1^st on the Ernst Trail. The walk will be held at noon to 1 p.m. and is free to the public. Refreshments will be available along with stroke information.

“We planned this over the lunch hour so that those who wish to come out and walk can do so, and enjoy some refreshments and learn a little more about the danger signs of stroke,” Zeller commented.

According to the National Stroke Association, nearly 800,000 strokes occur annually, one about every 40 seconds. There may actually be more cases of stroke because some people who suffer the symptoms often don’t really know they are having a stroke. In many cases, the stroke will start off feeling like a very bad headache or migraine. If this happened to be a stroke, that person only has a three-hour window to get treatment before permanent damage ensues.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention along with the American Heart Association suggests that people need to act F.A.S.T. in order to prevent serious damage or death. The F stands for Face: check to see if there is an uneven smile or a facial droop. This is strong sign that a stroke is occurring. The A stands for Arms: check for weakness or numbness in the arms. The S refers to Speech: slurred speech or difficulty speaking or understanding are key signs of stroke. The T refers to Time, indicating the urgency of calling for help.

Zeller strongly recommends that people call for an ambulance rather than attempt to transport themselves to the emergency room. The ambulance crew can call ahead to the emergency room, who can then prepare for the stroke victim. According to Denise Johnson, Chief Medical Officer at Meadville Medical Center, “We have very specific stroke protocols and a neurologist on call 24-7.”

Stroke risk can be significantly reduced by employing overall healthy habits. Controlling high blood pressure and high cholesterol can sharply reduce your chances of stroke. Other risk factors include smoking, heavy alcohol use, physical inactivity, and obesity. By practicing healthy habits and eliminating unhealthy behaviors, your chances of suffering a stroke can shrink.

Download a F.A.S.T. Card here: www.strokeawareness.com

Passport to a Healthier You!

Research shows that 1 in every 10 children are either overweight or obese and that 17 percent of all children are classified as obese. Furthermore, recent studies have shown the prevalence of obesity in U.S. children has tripled since 1980, indicating that the disease has hit epidemic levels.

Locally, Crawford County appears to be in worse shape than the country as a whole where childhood obesity is concerned. Recent statistical data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Pennsylvania Department of Health show that 40 percent of our county’s children are either overweight or obese.

Those astounding numbers set off loud alarms among a group of concerned citizens, who now call themselves the BEAM Initiative. BEAM, which stands for Balancing Eating and Movement in Meadville, is a collective group of health and community professionals working to reverse the trend of childhood obesity within four main modalities: 1. Environment; 2. Grocery Stores and Restaurants; 3. Schools; and 4. Community Engagement. Recently, the fourth element on this roster prompted the creation of a community collaborative program called Passport to a Healthier You.

Thanks to financial commitments from the Crawford Heritage Foundation, Meadville Medical Center, Allegheny College, the Lion’s Club of Meadville, and the Kiwanis Club of Meadville, BEAM will operate a three-month pilot of Passport to a Healthier You beginning on April 14^th. The Passport program is designed to introduce lifestyle changes within children and their families that revolve around nutrition and physical activity. However, these lifestyle changes are integrated into fun activities that make it easy and desirable for adults and children alike.

The program involves recruiting up to 100 children and their families to participate in at least 12 events over the course of three months (April 14 through July 14). These events, which are currently existing endeavors in the Meadville area, focus on one of the two aspects of the Passport program: Understanding Your Food (nutrition) and Understanding Your Body (physical activity). As children and their families participate in these events, they receive credits that move them closer to special rewards. At the program’s grand finale on July 14, all children who earned 12 credits will be awarded fitness prizes which may include (but are not limited to) hula hoops, jump ropes, Frisbees and physical fitness treasures. Specific gifts have yet to be determined. As an incentive for the families to help support their child throughout the three months, the Passport program will provide a $25 gift card to a local grocery store as well as a tomato plant donated by Creative Landscapes. The hope is that the families will have learned how to shop for healthy foods and perhaps start their own vegetable garden.

Each child, along with their parent/guardian or entire family, will be required to attend at least three food-related events and three physical fitness-related events along with six other activities that count for credit in the program. The details are outlined in the “Passport” that each participant will receive upon signing up for the pilot program.

The goal of Passport to a Healthier You is to promote lifelong changes that need to take root within the family unit. Research has shown that children are very willing to participate in various activities and enjoy eating healthy foods; however, if their families are not supportive of such behaviors, the children will not maintain them over the long haul. Passport to a Healthier You intends to educate families on how their behaviors affect their children’s behaviors both now and in the future.

Participation in Passport to a Healthier You can be done starting April 14^th at the Meadville Family YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day event held in Diamond Park from 9 a.m. until noon. Children and families attending will receive the Passport along with a packet of information describing the program and activities for the coming three months. The following list are “Passport Approved” programs that will count for credit over the three months:

April 14 9am-noon: Diamond Park Healthy Kids Day

-          2 credits for the Understanding Your Body (Fun Run participation & a Healthy Well-Visit by a health educator and/or provider

April 20 9am-noon: Crawford County Care Center Dairy Princess Event

-          1 credit for Understanding Your Food

April 21 3:30-5:30pm: Park Avenue Lanes Bowling with the Children’s Center

-          1 credit for Understanding Your Body

May 5 10am-noon: MARC Swimming with the Children’s Center

-          1 credit for Understanding Your Body

May 19 6pm: Giant Eagle Tour (choosing the healthiest options)

-          1 credit for Understanding Your Food

May 23 11am: Giant Eagle Tour (choosing the healthiest options)

-          1 credit for Understanding Your Food

May 28 8am: Diamond Park Human Race - Kids' Race and Nutritional Information

(*Last day for Passport registration)

-          1 credit for Understanding Your Food (stop by the nutritional booth)

-          1 credit for Understanding Your Body (participate in the race)

June 16 9-10:30am: Woodcock Dam Walk/Bike w/Children’s Center

-          1 credit for Understanding Your Body

June 23 9am: Colonel Crawford Park Youth Triathalon and Nutritional Information

(*May be associated fees)

-          1 credit for Understanding Your Food (stop by the nutritional booth)

-          1 credit for Understanding Your Body (participate in the race)

June 30 11am or 2pm: Tops Market Tour (choosing the healthiest options)

-          1 credit for Understanding Your Food

July 8 7:30am: Starts at Ernst Trail, Trail Blazer 15K/5K

(*May be associated fees)

-          1 credit for Understanding Your Body

Anytime during the three months: Recipe Contest & Food Journal

-          1 credit each for Understanding Your Food

July 14 10am-noon: YMCA Final Event/Awards/Recognition/Prizes

Other activities not listed may also count as Passport credits. Details will be presented at the time of registration.

For more information, search for us on Facebook by keying in Passport to a Healthier You – Meadville. Like us and get updates throughout the program.

Reference:

Ogden, C. & Carroll, M. (2010). Prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents: United States, trends 1963-1965 through 2007-2008. Retrieved March 30, 2012 from http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hestat/obesity_child_07_08/obesity_child_07_08.htm.

Childhood games offer significant benefits

Jump rope, hop-scotch and freeze tag bring back fun memories of childhood for most people. Last month, I had the opportunity to teach some new kids about jumping rope through the Way to Win for Life program, a sport fitness program for children.

I went to each of the four YMCA after-school sites and showed groups of kindergarteners and first graders how to skip a rope. Just about all of the older children (up through 6^th grade) already knew how to jump rope, so they were also helping to teach their younger counterparts. Thanks to my funder, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, each child was able to take their own rope home to continue jumping for fun and practice.

Last week, I returned to the schools to run a competition among these students to see how well they learned how to jump rope. Children in grades kindergarten through 2^nd grade competed in one category, and those in 3^rd through 6^th grade were in the other category. Each child had one full minute to skip rope while we counted how many consecutive jumps they made without missing.

While each child deserves kudos for their fantastic efforts, here are the winners of the competition at each school site:

First District:

Category One: Kyle Buttray, first grade (82 jumps)

Category Two: Gabrielle Limano, fourth grade (84 jumps)

West End at Second District:

Category One: Kaitlyn Crawford, second grade (57 jumps)

Category Two: Landon Beck, fourth grade (102 jumps)

Neason Hill:

Category One: Breanna Albright, second grade (56 jumps)

Category Two: Jadyn Bowling, fourth grade (70 jumps)

East End:

Category One: Melanie Cosdon, second grade (30 jumps)

Category Two: Jordan Graham, fourth grade (94 jumps)

Watching the enjoyment on the faces of each child was the whole point of the competition. These children were exercising but they thought they were playing.

According to the Jump Rope Institute, jumping rope for a minimum of five minutes a day can improve physical fitness. Research has found that jumping rope nonstop for 10 minutes provides the same benefits as 30 minutes of jogging, 720 yards of swimming, 18 holes of golf, or two sets of tennis singles. Furthermore, the Institute notes that jumping helps to develop the left and right hemispheres of the brain, improves special awareness and reading skills, and increases memory and mental alertness. As might be expected, jumping also improves balance and coordination, reflexes, bone density and muscular endurance.

The Institute also reports that “jump rope has been rated as a perfect building block to fitness and categorized as a healthy exercise that can produce positive changes in the body and brain.” Even the American Heart Association encourages millions of children to “jump their way into cardiovascular health.”

Jumping rope may have roots as far back as medieval times, where painting had been made of children jumping rope down cobblestone streets in Europe. The Institute claims that Western versions of jumping rope most likely originated from 1600 A.D. Egypt.  Eventually, the activity spread across the Atlantic to America.

Jumping rope doesn’t require a large space, unlike football, baseball or similar sports. Also, the sport is downright cheap. Just a plain rope will do, you don’t really need anything special to jump rope. Even if you purchase a jump rope, they will only run a couple bucks. Jumping rope is an activity nearly everyone can do…so what are you waiting for?

References

The Jump Rope Institute. (2012). The benefits of jumping rope. Retrieved March 16, 2012 from http://www.jumpropeinstitute.com/benefits.htm.

The Jump Rope Institute. (2012). Jump rope history. Retrieved March 16, 2012 from http://www.jumpropeinstitute.com/history.htm.

Was “Contagion” Based in Reality?

Interesting news recently came out the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that reminded me a bit of the movie “Contagion.”

The CDC reported they discovered a new strain of influenza virus in Guatemalan fruit bats. According to the CDC, the virus doesn’t appear to be a threat to humans, but is currently under investigation as a potential source for human influenza.

In the movie “Contagion,” a deadly virus spreads across the globe killing millions of people in only a short period of time. After several months of investigation, it was finally discovered that the virus had been created by crossing a diseased bat with a diseased pig to obtain the viral strain of an unknown illness. The movie follows a group of epidemiologists from the CDC and state health departments to identify the source and search for a vaccine. Could something like this actually occur?

Since the release of the movie, the CDC has issued several position papers that outline the reality of such a pandemic. The CDC Foundation, a nonprofit organization working with the CDC on public health awareness, stated, “Serious, deadly contagious disease outbreaks can and do happen. CDC investigates new contagious diseases—averaging one new contagion per year. These new contagious diseases can emerge right here or only a plane-ride away from here.” Remember H1N1? The disease was discovered, investigated and researched to halt the pandemic in 2009. Thus, based on the CDC research and statement, what happened in “Contagion” could actually occur.

While it may be important to know that these pandemics can actually happen, it may be more crucial to understand how prepared our nation is to handle such events. As portrayed in the movie, the CDC would take a lead role in the investigation of the disease and would provide technical assistance to cities, states or international entities who are dealing with an outbreak. According to the CDC Foundation, “CDC’s primary goals would be to determine the cause of illness, the source of the infection/virus/toxin, learn how it is transmitted and how readily it is spread, how to break the cycle of transmission and prevent further cases, and how people can best be treated.” This is exactly what was portrayed by the actors in “Contagion.”

The CDC believes it is fully prepared for a pandemic. Its researchers and epidemiologists have been in place worldwide and they continuously monitor diseases across the globe. The latter is how the new bat flu virus was discovered. According to Dr. Suxiang Tong, team lead of the Pathogen Discovery Program in CDC’s Division of Viral Diseases, “This is the first time an influenza virus has been identified in bats.”

While research has found that for bat influenza virus to infect humans, it would have to obtain some genetic properties of human influenza viruses. This can occur in nature through a process called reassortment, which occurs when two or more influenza viruses infect a single host cell, which allows the viruses to swap genetic information. Preliminary CDC research on the new virus suggests that its genes are compatible with human influenza viruses

In the recent CDC report, Dr. Ruben Donis, chief of the Molecular Virology and Vaccines Branch in CDC’s Influenza Division said, “Fortunately, initial laboratory testing suggests the new virus would need to undergo significant changes to become capable of infecting and spreading easily among humans. A different animal – such as a pig, horse or dog –would need to be capable of being infected with both this new bat influenza virus and human influenza viruses for reassortment to occur.”

In “Contagion,” the reassortment took place between a bat and a pig – making the pandemic portrayed on the big screen even more viable.

Currently, bat influenza viruses are known only to infect little yellow-shouldered bats, which are common in Central and South America and are not native to the United States. CDC works with global disease experts to monitor influenza viruses that circulate in animals, which could affect humans and in essence cross over country boundaries.

For more information about CDC’s global disease detection and emergency response activities, please see www.cdc.gov.

References:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012). New influenza virus discovered in Guatemalan fruit bats. Retrieved March 1, 2012 from http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2012/p0227_Guatemala_Fruitbats.html.

CDC Foundation. (2011). How CDC saves lives by controlling real global disease outbreaks. Retrieved March 1, 2012 from http://www.cdcfoundation.org/content/how-cdc-saves-lives-controlling-real-global-disease-outbreaks.