DYNAMIC HEALTH LINK : 5 Tips To Help Your Family Avoid The Bird Flu

Health experts claim that the Bird Flu pandemic is not an if, but a when. However,
there are measures that can reduce the likelihood of transmission. Discover five
important steps that might help individuals avoid the deadly bird flu.

health officials continue to brace for the possibility of a bird flu pandemic. The avian influenza A (H5N1)
outbreak in Asia and parts of Europe, the Near East, and Africa is not expected to
diminish significantly in the short term. It is likely that H5N1 infection among
birds has become endemic in certain areas and that human infections resulting from
direct contact with infected poultry will continue to occur. There is little
pre-existing natural immunity to H5N1 infection in the human population. If these
H5N1 viruses gain the ability for efficient and sustained transmission among humans,
an influenza pandemic could result, with potentially high rates of illness and
death. In addition, the virus shows resistance to the antiviral medications
amantadine and rimantadine, medications commonly used for treatment of influenza

There has been a lot of discussion and fear surrounding the bird flu and the threat
it poses for a possible global pandemic. History buffs and health officials draw
comparisons to the Spanish influenza pandemic of 1918 that killed 100 million people
worldwide. High ranking government officials from around the world have spoken in
the press about the potential devastation of the bird flu. " The fact of the matter
is, when it comes to pandemics, we are overdue and we are under prepared," warned
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary, Mike Leavitt, at a forum on April 19,
2006, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.


However, with all the heavy discussion concerning the possible death tolls and the
tracking of its spread across the world, little has been mentioned concerning
measures ordinary citizens should take to help lower the possibility of infection
once the bird flu reaches one\'s immediate community. 5 steps everyone should take in
order to lower the possibility of the transmission of the bird flu include:

1. Avoiding large gatherings and lots of people
2. Washing hands frequently
3. Building up the immune system prior to arrival of bird flu
4. Avoiding loaning out items.
5. Self-quarantining oneself and one's family. That means stockpiling supplies.