WAYNE PACELLE CONGRESSIONAL
COORDINATOR????
In the first warning to U.S. citizens about bird flu, the government urged doctors Tuesday to ask patients with flu-like symptoms if they have traveled to places in Asia where bird flu has broken out.
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"We are taking this very seriously right now," said Dr. Julie Gerberding, head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.
No cases of bird flu in either people or birds have been seen so far in the United States.
Gerberding said if doctors find that patients with flu symptoms have been in Vietnam or other places with bird flu, they should test for the virus. If it turns out they have influenza A, then state and local health departments working with CDC can check further to see if it is the H5N1 bird flu strain.
Tell doctors about overseas
travel
Gerberding said people who might have the flu should
voluntarily tell doctors about their Asian travels if no one asks them about
it.