All You Need to Know About Avian Flu

vian flu, also known as bird flu, has killed thousands of chickens, geese and other birds in Asia, Europe and Africa.

Avian flu has not reached the U.S. and the spread of the disease from birds to humans is rare. Worldwide, only about 200 people have been infected and about 100 have died. Scientists are concerned that if the virus mutates it could pass easily from human to human and create a pandemic – an epidemic that could cross international boundaries and potentially affect millions of people.

In anticipation of this threat, the Pasadena Public Health Department is working closely with a committee that includes representatives from the city’s Fire Department, Police Department and Public Works Department along with Huntington Hospital, the American Red Cross, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena Medical Association, Caltech, Pasadena Unified School District and several other organizations and businesses. The committee is addressing issues such as detection, isolation and quarantine of suspected cases,

distribution of antiviral medications, community education and continuation of essential services in the event of a pandemic.

You can do your part by preparing your home and family just as you would for any emergency:

• Store a supply of water, food, vitamins and medications

• Create a family communications plan with contact info

• Talk with your loved ones about how they would be cared for if they got sick

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your upper sleeve when you cough or sneeze, then wash your hands using soap and water or an alcohol-base hand cleaner

• Stay home if you’re sick

Keep your immune system in good shape:

• Eat a balanced diet with vegetables, fruits and whole grains and drink plenty of water

• Limit salt, sugar, alcohol and saturated fat

• Exercise regularly and get adequate sleep

For regularly updated information call 744-6012 or visit www.pandemicflu.gov or www.cityofpasadena.net/publichealth.

Safe in the Sun

fambam Stay safe and healthy this summer with some tips from Pasadena Public Health Department:

• Hot weather means prime time for West Nile Virus. Since 2004, seven people in Pasadena have been affected by the virus. Remove standing water on your property and protect yourself from bug bites.

• Prevent food poisoning by washing your hands and cooking surfaces thoroughly. Cook foods all the way through and keep food out of direct sunlight.

• Pools, spas and any other bodies of water are magnets for children. Always supervise your kids when they’re playing in and around water.

• Be sunwise. Make sure everyone in your family is wearing sunscreen and drinking plenty of water to prevent dehydration and heatstroke. Wear sunglasses, hats, and clothes that protect you from the sun. Stay in the shade at midday, when the sun is the hottest.

For more summer health tips call 744-6005 or visit www.cityofpasadena.net/publichealth.

Future Funding for Libraries

A special tax approved by Pasadena voters helps pay for library books and programming, keeps most branch libraries open six or more days a week and expands the hours of operation at Pasadena Central Library.

In anticipation of the tax expiring in July 2008, the City Council established the Future Library Funding Task Force, which meets the third Thursday of each month at 4:30 pm. in the Donald Wright Auditorium at Pasadena Central Library, 285 E. Walnut St. They review benefits provided by the special tax, determine patrons’ satisfaction of library services and discuss options. The task force will make recommendations to the Pasadena City Council this fall.

Meetings are open to the public and all ideas are welcome. For more information visit www.cityofpasadena.net/library and click on Future Library Funding Task Force or call 744-4066.

Your Other Car is an ARTS Bus!

Give your car – and your wallet – a little summer break! You can shuttle your kids all over the city in
air-conditioned comfort with the Pasadena ARTS bus system. Filling up your gas tank is expensive these days but kids in grades K-12 can ride ARTS buses for just 25¢, or 50¢ round-trip, to Pasadena parks, libraries, public pools, museums and more. Up to two children under 5 may ride free with a fare-paying adult. Adults ride for just 50¢ each way (25¢ for senior citizens and persons with disabilities). There are ARTS stops just steps away from Kidspace Children’s Museum, Armory Center for the Arts, Art Center College of Design, CORAL Innovation Center and many other kid-friendly places.

All you need is a route map, available at 117 E. Colorado Blvd., 221 E. Walnut St., www.cityofpasadena.net/trans or by calling 744-4055.

City Hall Retrofit Update

The seismic retrofit and restoration of City Hall continues to move forward. Installation of base isolators will be completed by late fall 2006. This summer workers are continuing interior renovations and restoration as well as the repainting of the building. You may notice extra workers on the scaffolds as they touch up plaster on the exterior of the building and restore copper roofs

on two of the small domes and the main dome. The project will be completed in mid-2007. For more information call 744-7073 or visit www.cityofpasadena.net and click on City Hall Restoration Project.

It Only Takes a Second to Prevent a Tragedy

Drowning is one of the top five leading causes of death for children under 5. National figures show that 260 children drown each year in backyard swimming pools and spas. To protect your little ones and their friends, the Pasadena Fire Department provides these water safety tips:

• Remember that only you can prevent a drowning. Watch your child closely at all times.

• Talk to your babysitters about potential hazards and instruct them to watch all children in and around your swimming pool at all times.

• Completely fence your pool. Install self-closing and self-latching gates with latches high enough that they’re out of reach of young children.

• Keep tables and chairs well away from the pool fence to prevent children from climbing into the pool area.

• Keep all doors and windows leading to the pool locked and secure to prevent small children from getting to the pool. Remember that barriers and locks are a must but there’s no substitute for supervision.

• Never use flotation devices as a substitute for supervision.

• Never use a pool with its cover partially in place – children may become trapped under it. Remove the cover completely when the pool is in use.

• Keep toys away from the pool area. A young child playing with toys may fall in the water accidentally.

• Remove steps to above-ground pools when they’re not in use.

• Have a telephone at poolside so you can answer the phone without leaving your children unattended. Keep emergency numbers near the outside phone.

• Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). For class schedules visit www.sgvarc.org or call the local office of the American Red Cross at 799-0841.

• Keep rescue equipment by your pool.

continue to next page


	Public Affairs