About OFFLU
OFFLU is the joint OIE-FAO network of expertise on influenza, established in 2005 to support international efforts to monitor and control avian influenza infections in poultry and other bird species and to share biological material and data to support the early development of human pandemic vaccines. With the emergence of the H1N1 virus in humans in 2009, containing genetic components similar to swine and avian elements, the network resources are being mobilized to support international efforts to combat this new threat. OFFLU will strengthen links within our animal health network and will collaborate with the existing WHO influenza network on all matters relevant to public health
Objectives
- To exchange scientific data and biological materials (including virus strains) within the network, to analyze such data, and to share such information with the broader scientific community.
- To offer technical advice, training, and veterinary expertise to Member Countries to assist in the prevention, diagnosis, surveillance, and control of animal influenza.
- To collaborate with the WHO influenza network on issues relating to the animal-human interface, including early preparation of human vaccine.
- To highlight influenza research needs, promote their development, and ensure coordination.
- To provide primary PDF forms and templates so the community can access quality documentation.
A medical power of attorney form is a critical legal document that allows an individual to appoint someone they trust to make healthcare decisions on their behalf should they become unable to do so themselves. The specifics of these forms can vary by state, reflecting local legal requirements and healthcare mandates.
The health care power of attorney in California ensures that a designated agent has the authority to make all necessary medical decisions, including treatments and healthcare providers, according to the grantor's preferences.
The Texas medical power of attorney allows residents to appoint a health care agent to make decisions regarding routine medical care and life-sustaining treatments that align with the principal’s wishes.
The Florida medical power of attorney form typically includes stipulations that empower the agent to make decisions about the principal's medical care, including the ability to access medical records and decide on living arrangements when necessary.
NY residents use a medical power of attorney in New York to ensure their healthcare preferences are honored. This form may be part of an advance directive that includes living will provisions.
The Pennsylvania health care power of attorney grants an agent broad powers to handle healthcare decisions. This power becomes effective when the principal is determined to be incapable of making healthcare decisions themselves.
The Illinois power of attorney for health care is designed to comply with Illinois law, allowing appointees to make a broad range of healthcare decisions based on the principal's stated wishes and best interests.
The Ohio healthcare power of attorney enables a trusted individual to make all necessary medical decisions. It provides peace of mind that the principal's health care will be in trusted hands when they cannot make decisions for themselves.
The medical power of attorney in Georgia ensures that designated agents are legally empowered to make health-related decisions, adhering to the principal’s prior directives and overall healthcare philosophy.
The North Carolina medical power of attorney allows principals to specify which decisions their agents can make, including choices about medical treatments and end-of-life care.
The medical power of attorney in Michigan often includes details about the appointment of a healthcare advocate and the specific types of decisions they are authorized to make, ensuring all medical decisions align with the principal's values and desires.
The health care power of attorney in Washington state allows for the designation of an agent to manage healthcare decisions, reflecting the specific legal requirements and healthcare nuances of Washington state law.
Lastly, the medical power of attorney in Indiana grants an appointed agent the authority to make all medical decisions for the principal, tailored to meet the specific statutes and healthcare regulations of Indiana.
OFFLU Organisation
The Network consists of a Steering Committee, an Executive Committee, a Secretariat, and specialist Working Groups.
OFFLU Steering Committee
Dr. Steven Edwards (OIE)
Dr. Gerrit Viljoen (IAEA/FAO)
Dr. Cristobal Zepeda Sein (FAO)
Dr. Gideon Bruckner (OIE)
OFFLU Executive Committee
Ilaria Capua (Chairperson)
Keith Hamilton (OIE)
Gwenaelle Dauphin (FAO)
OFFLU Scientist
Mia Kim
OFFLU Secretariat
Margarita Gomez Riela
News:
International Symposium on Neglected Influenza Viruses, 3-5 Feb 2010, Florida, USA
Latest OFFLU technical meeting
Pandemic H1N1-Mobilising OFFLU
Pandemic H1N1-Publicly Available Databases
Publications:
OIE Scientific Review for Avian Influenza
Nomenclature: human-animal interface
Opportunities:
OIE Scientific Review for Avian Influenza
Publicly Available Influenza Sequence Databases
In response to the pandemic influenza A subtype H1N1 in people, it is crucial that genetic sequences of all relevant animal influenza viruses are deposited in publicly available databases quickly. These sequences may provide critical information to understand better the current influenza A H1N1 viruses circulate in humans and therefore help reduce risks to human and animal health.
OFFLU urges all animal health laboratories to immediately deposit genetic sequences of influenza A subtype H1N1 from swine or of swine-origin and any other relevant influenza A viral sequences into publicly available databases.
The following links provide access to publicly accessible sequence databases:
If you know of any other available sequence databases or tools for analyzing such data, please contact the OFFLU Secretariat ([email protected]) so that OFFLU can disseminate this information.
Dear OFFLU Collaborator,
I am sure you are aware of the recent cases of influenza A infection in humans in Mexico, the US, and several other countries. At this stage, infection with this newly identified strain of H1N1 appears to be limited to humans, and viral gene sequencing shows that it contains porcine, avian, and human-origin genes.
The human and animal health networks will be working together very closely to understand the origins of this H1N1 strain and to minimize risks to human and potential risks to animal health. The mandate of OFFLU has, until now, been limited to avian influenza viruses. However, this must be extended to cover all animal influenza viruses where scientific evidence demonstrates a public health concern.
It is responsible for OFFLU to ensure that information about animal influenza viruses is shared quickly and efficiently within the animal health network and that relevant information is shared through OFFLU with WHO. OFFLU Scientists can work on the sequence and other virus characterization analyses.
Kind regards,
Steve Edwards (Chairman of OFFLU)