Don’t Panic – Start Planning For Avian Influenza Pandemic
The H5N1 Avian Influenza, referred to as simply “the bird flu”, is a contagion that is spawned by bird viruses that happen naturally in birds. It is fairly normal for birds to carry a virus but this specific H5N1 virus in exceptionally infectious. The good news is they have mainly caused illness in bird populations such as ducks, chickens and turkeys. The birds convey the infection through their body fluids and human raised poultry when contact is made. The infected avian population then gets ill in a mild form or severely and fatally.
What is the risk of Avian Influenza to human health?
Anxiety over an H5N1 influenza pandemic has become significant in many countries. Medical experts around the world state that in the event of a bird flu virus mutation which is then infectious person to person, the medical outcome in terms of morbidity and mortality on humankind would be horrendous.
Until now human infections have been caused by direct transmission from bird to human or from diseased surfaces from bird excrement. People need to realize that it is unusual for human to human transmission. The odds of infection in this manner remain quite low and for those people who have become infected through avian contact the result has been a severe form of influenza and fifty percent mortality.
Apprehension is high in populations because of the ability for influenza viruses to change into a new strain with the potential to infect people around the world. This would be the case if the H5N1 virus began the steady mutation process and began claiming victims due to human to human transmission.
Up until now there is no sign of any form of person to person infectious capability with the H5N1 bird flu virus. Also there has been no confirmation by any firm means that a new strain of avian influenza is about to menace the world’s population. That said, agencies such as the World Health Organization or WHO are on guard for any unusual events with this avian virus, so we try and remain calm about it all.
Is There Anything We Can Do To Stop Bird Flu?
Currently there is really only a vaccine for avian flu that is so new it hasn’t been tested by difficult illness scenarios and is still really in production/trial phases. What people need to remember is that washing hands thoroughly and frequently is still probably the best preventative solution of all. If you have been exposed to the bird flu or contact has been made with an infected individual, you should wash your hands before doing anything. Keep your hands away from your mouth nose and eyes. When you wash your hands count to twenty to do the job thoroughly.
Remember your common sense precautions including hand washing, sneezing or coughing into a tissue or into the crook of your arm works too. Keep up with your seasonal flu injections. The annual vaccine for seasonal flu won’t help you with the bird flu but it will inoculate you against the seasonal variety. If a person was suffering with the seasonal flu and made contact with the H5N1 virus the result could be a viral perfect storm allowing the mix to mutate the avian strain into a different and perhaps more virulent and infectious.
There are some measures that can be taken to aid in the prevention of a severe global pandemic of avian flu which comprise:
Depending on personal circumstances some individuals are stockpiling N-95 face masks and or throwaway breathing apparatuses, some type of eyesight defense, hand protection, protective clothing, and hand sanitizer in addition to other practical safety gear.
Plan to teach anyone who will require it, the proper use of this equipment, disposal of waste and the process for disinfection of personnel and equipment. In the event of a pandemic the resources you need may not be available and it could be too late to prepare otherwise.
Be sure that all medical supplies are usable and there are sufficient stores of essentials. The medical kits should contain basic first aid materials and any prescription medications needed to get by. A supply of OTC medicines for stomach relief, pain killers, colds, cough and allergies. This kind of kit is useful in a number of emergency scenarios, not just a pandemic situation.
Be sure everyone at home and work are aware of sanitary hygiene like proper hand washing with soap & water particularly before and after meal preparation and after using the bathroom. Regular hand cleaning with alcohol based [minimum 60% alc.] hand sanitizer and proper etiquette for controlling coughs and sneezing when around others to avoid spreading germs.
Again, all people should have a supply of their prescription and non prescription medications on hand as well some energy drinks like Gatorade and other fluids containing vitamins etc in case of a long stay indoors.
Families should start stocking up on water and food in advance of a pandemic. Having enough essentials on hand during an outbreak in the local area that can sustain a family for 2 weeks is advisable. It must be reiterated that in case of a pandemic, it may not be as easy as just driving to your grocery store if employees are ill or stock isn’t being transported while the threat passes. Stores may close so be prepared.
Avian Flu: Potential Crisis
As of now the H5N1 avian influenza virus has been concentrated in Asia, the Middle East and areas of Europe. Everyone else is closely observing the bird flu virus trying to ensure it doesn’t enter anymore countries. The avian flu is fairly common in feral birds but can wipeout populations of domestic poultry/birds very rapidly. The worry is that humans are not equipped with a natural resistance to bird flu virus, so if it mutates and becomes aggressive in humans there is no defense, only medical intercession. Fortunately the strain has not yet mutated, unfortunately this also means that a vaccine cannot be produced to control a new mutation. Currently the only way to repel thee H5N1 virus is through stringent prevention measures that are followed by non infected populations.
Avian Influenza Pandemic Personal Preparedness Plan
In a pandemic there will most certainly be things you can do to limit exposure and keep your family safe. Social distancing is critical to avoid infection, even when there is only limited illness locally, in a pandemic this can change extremely quickly. Start planning now for future potential exposure to the virus. That means when the local outbreak is in full mode you want to remain isolated from everyone outside of your immediate family. You should leave your residence for essential shopping only such as fuel, water, drugs and food. Hopefully you have stocked a supply in advance but there may be a need to venture out so take some precautions.
With this in mind you should only be traveling to the grocery store, gas station, discount store, pharmacy, or convenience store. This is not an ideal time to be strolling through the mall or window shopping.
Go on these shopping expeditions during the slowest possible times so your exposure will be limited to as few people as possible. Now would be a good time to explore which stores are open 24 hours. Find out the hours of these stores and which are open late in the evening or early in the mornings. Find out the time that you will likely be the only patron other than a couple employees.
Be sure to have your vehicle/s topped up with gas since fuel may be out of stock due to a run at the pumps or lack of fuel delivery. Do not drive far for supplies given potential fuel supplies. Make substitutions in your planning if necessary – if a grocery store is open 24 hours at 4 mile distance it would be worth going at 5 am if variables above are right rather than going fifteen miles for the same thing – that would waste gas.
Walking is fine if you do so during the day though there will be more people out, your safety is more important. Some individuals tend to get reckless with their behavior in a time of crisis. Local law enforcement may not be as prevalent during a bird flu pandemic so walk in daylight if necessary and drive at night for your protection.
What supplies you should buy:
Bottled water – Canned vegetables – Canned fruit – Sauerkraut [promotes the development of good bacteria in your body which aids in repelling H5N1 [in Asia you can use Kim Chi] – manual can openers –garlic – onions – canned or cooked meat – fresh meat if you have the means to continue cooking it.
Fresh vegetables – fresh fruit – horse radish – ginger root – dried meat – cheese preferably low in fat – eggs – fresh milk – powder and canned milk – canned fish.
You need superior vitamins and health supplements, specifically vitamin C – selenium – zinc – Omega 3 – lysine – beta glucan – vitamin E – beta carotene – vitamin B complex – green foods that have chlorophyll – ginseng – resveratrol – magnesium – DHEA – quercetin – bioflavonoids – yogurt.
Soap [extra water for washing] – alcohol sanitizer wipes – Antiseptic hand lotion – propane – kerosene – First aid kit with tea tree oil and nu-skin – hot and cold packs – vaporizer – dental cleaning supplies – toilet paper and diapers – various cleaning soaps – reading materials – jigsaw puzzles and deck of cards.
What won’t be necessary:
Useless herbs and supplements that do nothing to augment your immune system – candy bars and snack foods – sugar and sweets – bread – rice – spaghetti and noodles/ pastas – cigarettes – alcohol – fruit juices – soda pop – Decrease your odds of becoming infected by the avian influenza H5N1 virus by boosting your immune system and to survive in the event that you are infected by it. Avoid anything that raises your chance of becoming infected by avian flu and avoid everything possible that can deteriorate personal immunity. A pandemic is something you have no control over but you can protect yourself and your family. It is not the time to be personally indulgent nor is it a time to be self conscious about protecting you and yours so take the required actions to beat the odds.