"Bird Flu" - A Critique of the President's Plan

Duncan and Associates
www.Duncan-Associates.com

President Bush, in a recent speech at the National Institutes of Health, outlined a program to spend $7.1 billion to protect the U.S. from the threat of avian influenza. "Our country has been given fair warning of this danger to our homeland and time to prepare," Mr. Bush said. "It's my responsibility as the president to take measures now to protect the American people." The proposed measures would include detecting outbreaks around the world and at home, stockpiling vaccines and anti-viral drugs, and being ready to respond at the federal, state and local levels in the event that a pandemic reaches the United States.

The President's plan would include $2.8 billion to speed development of a vaccine and $1.2 billion for the purchase of 20 million doses of vaccine. He also said the United States would spend one-billion dollars to increase stockpiles of antiviral drugs, such as Tamiflu? (oseltamivir), Symmetrel? (amantadine), Flumadine? (rimantadine), and Relenza? (zanamavir) - drugs that can reduce the severity of the illness when taken within 48 hours after becoming ill. A further $583 million is to be spent on domestic preparedness -- including $100 million going to the states -- and $251 million for aid to other countries.

The President's plan is apparently rooted in the CDC's long-awaited pandemic flu plan. This document has been more than a decade in the making. That report concluded that the nation is woefully ill prepared for a flu pandemic. Were one to occur, it says, hospitals would be overwhelmed, riots would engulf vaccination clinics, and even power and food would soon be in short supply. Members of the working group that developed the report have complained that no one at the upper levels of DHHS or at the White House considered the problem important or the report's warnings believable.

While many have been relieved to learn that the Bush administration has finally decided to take the threat of a flu pandemic seriously, the administration plan has found many critics. Even many of the Bush administration's usual supporters have questioned the administration's ability to respond effectively to this potential crisis. Conservative Republican and former House Speaker, Newt Gingrich, for instance, has commented that, " The problem with President Bush's plan is that they can't succeed in the current bureaucratic structure. Were the federal government ever entitled to the benefit of the doubt, it forfeited that presumption in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina."

Quite aside from doubts about the Bush administration's ability to respond in a timely fashion to any emergency, there are a substantial number of serious concerns about the President's plan. These concerns begin with the obviously vital need for early detection of outbreaks. Whether it is detection of avian flu or of bioterrorism, local health departments must carry on the vital frontline activity in detection. Unfortunately, funding for health departments nationally has been declining and the Bush administration is currently supporting further cuts in federal support for state and local public health. If this element of the President's plan is to be effectively implemented, then funding cuts for public health departments need to be restored.

Stockpiling vaccines sounds like an obvious strategy but their currently is no vaccine available to protect humans against the H5N1 virus that it is feared may go pandemic. Vaccine development efforts are under way that hopefully will provide a vaccine in time for use if needed. Clinical trials of a vaccine to protect humans against H5N1 virus began in April and researchers are working on a vaccine against H9N2, another bird flu virus subtype. Some of the problems and issues involved in developing a strain-specific vaccine to prevent a flu pandemic are discussed by David Fedson in a recent issue of the N.A.P.H.P.'s Journal of Public Health Policy (vol. 26, #4, pp. 2-9). Last years shortfall in vaccine for ordinary seasonal flu and more limited shortages this year despite assurances that there would be no shortfall raise serious concerns about the organizational capacity for adequately producing and distributing a strain specific vaccine once it has been developed.

Since a strain-specific vaccine will most likely not be available in the early stages of a pandemic due to its prolonged development time early control measures will most likely rely upon the third element of the Bush plan - stockpiling antiviral drugs. Four antiviral drugs -- amantadine, rimantadine, oseltamivir, and zanamivir -- are approved by the FDA for the treatment of influenza and three are approved for prophylaxis. All four have activity against influenza A viruses, but analyses of some of the 2004 H5N1 viruses isolated from poultry and humans in Asia have shown that the viruses are resistant to two of the medications (amantadine and rimantadine). Monitoring of avian influenza viruses for resistance to antiviral medications needs to be ongoing.

In addition to therapeutic use antiviral medications will probably be used for short-term postexposure prophylaxis for close contacts of influenza patients - often referred to as ring prophylaxis. This approach attempts to stop the spread of contagion. Such a strategy obviously can require a larger supply of the antiviral drugs than would initially be necessary for therapeutic use alone. Of course, of the strategy is successful there will be far fewer patients in need of flu treatment than if an epidemic continued to spread unabated. There is a serious risk of strategy failure, however, of there is not enough medicine immediately available to administer to all contacts as soon as the first cases are reported and enough must be available to last out the duration of the flu season. Depletion of the available stocks would leave the population vulnerable to additional outbreak waves, potentially caused by influx of new cases. Stockpiles thus need to be both large and readily available to frontline public health workers. . Aside from concerns over whether the Bush administration can be more timely and adequate in supplying antiviral medication than it was in getting aid to victims of Katrina, the Bush plan for antiviral stockpiling has another greater flaw. President Bush expects the states and local governments to pay 75 percent of the cost to buy 31 million of the 81 million courses of antiviral medications that will be part of the national stockpile. This at a time when every state seems to be in a fiscal crisis requiring budget cuts. What is to happen to states that cannot afford to pay this 75% share? Will they be given less medication or none at all? If so, then the entire strategy of ring prophylaxis will fail as the deprived states serve as a reservoir of infection spreading the disease to unprotected persons in neighboring states.

The announced plan calls for readiness at federal, state, and local levels and provides for $100 million to go to the states to develop response plans for a pandemic. But this comes at the same time as a $130 million dollar cut in federal aid for state public health, leaving the states with $30 million less to respond to any threat to the public's health. As Dr. Rex Archer, President of the National Association of County and City Health Officials, has commented, "You can't take away $130 million with the right hand, give us $100 million with the left hand, with strings attached, by the way, and expect that that's going to get us where we need to go." A plan is a fine thing but without the resources to carry it into effect it will be as useless as the plans New Orleans and FEMA both had for coping with a hurricane such as Katrina.

The Bush plan is a start and we should be glad that the President recently read John Barry's The Great Influenza and was moved by the experience to take the threat of a flu pandemic seriously. A great deal more thought needs to be given to the details of this plan and whether we face a flu pandemic this winter or not funding for public health desperately needs to be increased.

N ational Association for Public Health Policy
http://www.naphp.org

Relevant Reading:

Barry, J. M. (2004). The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague In History. New York: Viking Press.

Fedson, D. S. (2005). Preparing for Pandemic Vaccination: An International Policy Agenda for Vaccine Development. Journal of Public Health Policy, 26, 4-29. http://www.palgrave-journals.com/jphp/fedson_flu.html

HHS Pandemic Influenza Plan http://www.hhs.gov/pandemicflu/plan/

National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza http://www.whitehouse.gov/homeland/pandemic-influenza.html

Prof. Duncan is an epidemiologist and psychologist whose lengthy career has included positions in law enforcement, public health, and education. He has been a professor at Brown University, Southern Illinois University, the University of Cologne (in Germany), the State University of New york, and the New York State school of Psychiatry. He is currently President of Duncan and Associates and a director of the Fairview Community Health Cent

Bird flu: Europe to slaughter Israel!

ISRAEL TO BE SLAUGHTERED BY THE EUROPEANS!
They've let the European fox into the chickencoop

Deuteronomy 28:15
15 However, if you do not obey the LORD your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you...

Israel has been suffering from the "bird flu" for years, as a consequence of NATIONAL SIN (Daniel 9:11). Now it's coming to it conclusion since the Israeli people have rejected Kahane (the biblical ideals he represented) for Arafat and his Amalekite heirs: Israel is about to be slaughtered, having been sold out to EU interests by chickens, doves, turkeys and hawks (who prey upon their own people - not against Arab enemies).

The bloody vulture Shimon Peres must be caged, quarantined at least, since his unclean kind - symptoms of Israel's disease - have unleashed this sickness upon the Jewish homeland.

The Israeli sins are coming home to roost and the treacherous leaders who have prostituted themselves, who have sold out Israel, who imagine themselves immune from the EU plague, will soon suffer and die for it too.

Isaiah 28:14-15
14 Therefore hear the word of the LORD, you scoffers
who rule this people in Jerusalem.

15 You boast, "We have entered into a covenant with death,
with the grave we have made an agreement.
When an overwhelming scourge sweeps by,
it cannot touch us,
for we have made a lie our refuge
and falsehood our hiding place."

Will the Israelis undergo a cleansing coup and experience a heartfelt NATIONAL REPENTANCE? Will the Jews get rid of the filth in their lives and cull the foul leaders that pollute the nest and imperil the land? Will the Israelis insist upon Europe's new crusade to bring them to their knees and encourage them to clean up their act?

2 Chronicles 7:14
14 ...If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

David Ben-Ariel is a Christian-Zionist writer in Ohio and author of Beyond Babylon: Europe's Rise and Fall. With a focus on the Middle East and Jerusalem, his analytical articles help others improve their understanding of that troubled region. Check out Beyond Babylon.

Bird Flu: H5N1 Influenza Status Briefing Natural Protection

The Bird Flu has a defined area of infection and has found a host that has kept it alive for millenniums. Pigs are in the mutation chain as the virus transitions to people. The next bird flu step could be an overnite pandemic or a wimpering gasp of disappearance.

The virus H5N1, has a few similarities with the Spanish flu of 1918 that resulted in one of the largest pandemics in the last 200 years. Both of these contagious outbreaks cause high fever, lower respiratory tract failure symptoms, prostration, myalgias, and a postviral weakness that could last up to 6 weeks.

Twenty-four hour access channels have warned of a coming pandemic that may arrive in the form of H5N1 avian influenza, more commonly referred to as ?bird flu?. The market for poultry products has decreased internationally because of a lack of consumer confidence in a safe supply.

In Eastern Asian countries entire flocks of chickens have been destroyed because of an outbreak that easily spreads from bird to bird, infecting the entire flock.

Proactive Steps

Current laboratory research currently indicates existing flu prescriptions should be an active and readily available treatment should the ?bird flu? H5N1 make its presence felt. While this is good news, there is a second wave effect that has historically been seen in such a widespread influenza outbreak. The second wave may occur when the flu strain alters just enough to render existing medications ineffective.

Knowledge is a primary key in the battle of any communicable disease. Understanding symptoms can provide both peace of mind as well as the information you need to know should a doctor?s visit be required.

Defining Bird Flu

Like the more common flu strains, ?bird flu? may include fever, sore throat, muscle aches and eye infections. However, ?bird flu? may also include pronounced lethargy, acute breathing difficulties and chest pain. In more extreme cases pneumonia may make an appearance as well as potential organ failure.

This virulent strain of flu virus has, to date, been spread primarily through poultry and water fowl. The limited human fatalities that have been reported have all been a result of close interaction with infected birds.

The incubation period for humans who do contract ?bird flu? may be as few as two days or as many as 17.

Industry Protection

Chicken farmers are taking radical steps to keep their investment safe. Disinfectant sprays are beginning to be applied and sterile clothing is becoming common when entering poultry facilities. Symptoms that include bird inactivity and decreased egg production are routinely reviewed and monitored.

What If?

Members of the World Health Organization have worked to develop a plan that could be implemented on a global scale to address both current issues as well as those that may be forthcoming in the event of a ?bird flu? pandemic. Steps are currently being taken to address the issues surrounding ?bird flu? and partner countries are gaining assistance from the findings of the World Health Organization.

Flu Shot

It is unclear if the annual flu shot will assist in the reduction of ?bird flu? cases should a pandemic occur. However, there is evidence to suggest they it may in fact do so.

It may be that ?bird flu? will never reach epidemic proportions, but knowing what it is and what it is capable of doing is a help in preparing for a flu strain that could join the ranks of some of the world?s greatest viral killers.

The best prevention of the bird flu is a strong immune system. Exercise the body and the lungs. Look for a natural antiviral supplement. While modern scientist search for a vaccine, we have natural remedies that we can employ. Colloidal silver is known to kill bacteria and virus.

James Zeller is the new "Euell Gibbons" for natural supplements. For more information about Bird Flu Protection or his choice for natural immune support for the "50 and Over" Baby Boomers.

Get Ready for a Bird Flu Pandemic

Health experts worldwide are concerned the bird flu virus at present affecting mainly birds could change so as to pass from humans to humans, then quickly spread globally. Millions of people would become ill, some seriously so - including health professionals we look to for help.

So far there have been well over 100 cases of human infection from the H5N1 virus in birds, many of whom have died. No instance of infection from human to human has yet been proved. There are pessimists around saying there's nothing we can do if a pandemic starts. These sentiments should be ignored because there are practical steps we can take right now to ready ourselves should a pandemic eventuate. So what can we do?

1. Learn what you can about the virus and what effect it may have on those who catch it. This would include ordinary influenza-like symptoms - sore throat, fever, muscle pains, cough, sweating, lassitude. There could be progression into acute respiratory failure in some people which would be fatal in a high percentage with this complication.

2.Prepare an Emergency Supply Kit. This is similar to kits people already have in some parts of the world in readiness for disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes and floods. A kit for a flu pandemic should contain:
(a)Enough tinned food/dried food to last 2-3 weeks, because it would be wise for many of us to isolate ourselves and our families for that length of time.
(b)Paracetamol. A generous supply of face masks and tissues. Plastic bags for used tissues and face masks. (Antiviral Tamiflu & Antibiotics - watch expiry dates).
(c)Radio and torch with spare batteries in case of power cuts.
(d)Activities such as - games, magazines, books, sports equipment.

3.Planning to Cope in a Pandemic.
(a) Hygiene. Wash hands frequently for half a minute before preparing or eating food, after caring for a sick person or blowing your nose, or wiping the nose of a child. Used tissues and face masks should be disposed of immediately and put into a plastic bag. Keep a distance of at least one arm's length from a sick peson if possible, Both patient and carer should be wearing a face mask.
(b) How might you help a relative or neighbour living on their own?
(c) To whom would you call for help should you yourself become sick?
(d) How would your business cope if you were home for three or four weeks? Do you have insurance cover?
(e) What precautions would you take if you had to go out in public - if you needed to buy necessities, or if you are a health worker for example.

It is not known for certain if the avian bird flu virus will mutate so as to spread from human to human, but at least we can prepare ourselves should it become an eventuality.

 Retired Medical Practioner who is trying to raise funds for TEAR Fund on his website - e-BookWorld.Biz. He is not finding it as easy to raise a buck as some hyper-enthusiasts claim!

Bird Flu - Are You Ready For The Outbreak?

 

The Bird Flu or Avian Flu is creating panick in the world! Here's all the Bird Flu info you need to decide for yourself!

Bird Flu is caused by Avian flu viruses which naturally occur in birds. Birds in the wild, all over the world, carry the virus in their intestines, although they rarely become ill from it.

The Bird Flu however, is very contagious among birds and can spread to domesticated birds such as ducks & chickens and kill them. The Bird Flu is transmitted though saliva, nasal secretions and feces. Usually the Bird Flu is only transmitted from bird to bird, but cases have now been widely reported since 1997 of the flu being transmitted from bird to human, with cases reported of human to human transmission, although the virus has not infected more than one person in those cases. Bird Flu viruses are always changing, and over time may develop into a strain that can be transmitted from human to human to human, in which case we would be faced with a global pandemic of devastating proportions.

Symptoms of Bird Flu in humans can be anywhere from norman flu-like symptoms such as sore throat, cough, fever & muscle aches, to respiratory diseases such as acute respiratory distress, eye infections, pneumonia and other severe life-threatening complications.

As of January, 2006, cases of the Bird Flu in humans have been reported in several countries including China, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, with several cases in Turkey in recent months. Over 140 cases have been reported by the WHO since 2004. Most of the people infected had been in close contact with birds that were infected with the Bird Flu.

Scientists are not able to predict if or when a Bird Flu pandemic will occur, but have been keeping a close eye on the virus in Asia and Europe and are preparing for the worst possible scenario.

If you need more information on the Bird Flu, treatment for the flu with Tamiflu, or where to Buy Tamiflu we have supplied plenty of information links that can help you answer your questions about the Bird Flu.

Writer, author, publisher, Charles Dumont has always written mostly on current affairs and day to day issues affecting human kind. Lately he's been very passionate due to the launch of his Avian Bird Flu blog. http://avian-bird-flu-crisis.blogspot.com

How Bird Flu Respirators Should Be Used

There are two kinds of bird flu wear protection that a person who will come into contact with infected poultry or just poultry or an infected person. The person should consider wearing either a bird flu respirator or a bird flu mask.

A bird flu masks only helps prevent particles or droplets to be discharged in the environment the wearer is in. The mask is not generally used to filter efficiently or to seal the face tightly. A bird flu respirator is what is considered helpful in reducing the wearer?s chances of exposure to airborne particles such as bird flu. A bird flu mask is often confused like a bird flu respirator because both look alike.

The bird flu mask or respirator should be used by people who think they will come in contact with persons or birds infected with the H5N1 strain. The people who use this should just consider it to be one way of being hygienic way of prevention.

A patient who thinks he or she has been feeling symptoms and knows has been in contact with infected birds should wear a bird flu mask as well. People who often travel a lot, especially to those infected places should also consider bringing a bird flu respirator.

If a bird flu respirator is not present, the bird flu mask will have to do. The mask or the respirator should also be fitted in properly to make it work. However, wearing the mask is still not a guaranteed way you won?t contact the viral disease.

The only time a person working closely with infected birds or persons or just birds is when they are away from the contaminated or possible contaminated area. Then after removing the equipment, remember to thoroughly wash your hands. Then dispose the equipment immediately after going on a safer area. The effectiveness of the respirator last only for 8 hours.

When buying the bird flu mask or respirator, it always has directions or instructions how to properly use it. Always remember when transporting the equipment to protect it from any kind of damage.

The bird flu respirator should be sealing the face very tightly. If the breathing becomes difficult, the respirator might have been damaged. If it is, go to a safe place and change the respirator.

The right way to wear it to know how effective it is, is to fit it snuggly in the face, the metal strip should be atop and the colored part outside. The mask should be firmly placed by positioning the strings right. The metallic strip should be molded at the nose?s bridge.

A bird flu mask or respirator is only a part to help prevent the further damaging of implications of bird flu. It is not a sure fire way to prevent the outbreak, but it is a way to reduce the potential damage.

Michael Colucci is a technical writer for http://www.bird-flu-facts.org - A free site that offers facts on the history, prevention, vaccines and more on the Bird Flu Virus.

Bird Flu To Reach Americas In 6 To 12 Months!

The Bird Flu/Avian Flu, which is already spreading across Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East, will make the jump across the Atlantic and arrive in the Americas within a year. This recent information comes from UN Experts recently assigned the task on making sure this disease doesn't spread.

Dr. David Nabarro, the coordinator of the United Nations' efforts to contain the pandemic and prepare for its possible jump to humans, said he believes the deadly H5N1 strain of the virus will make the leap across the Atlantic between six months and one year from now. Nabarro predicted the leap would take place in two stages. It will probably be carried by wild birds from West Africa to the Arctic, then carried south to North and South America, he said. How will the virus spread from birds? Cats!

Cats are believed to be vulnerable to bird flu because they prey on birds. If you have cats, oudoor cats to be precise, you may want to think about keeping them in the house from now on. Health officials have feared for some time now that the avian disease will mutate into a form that can jump between humans, putting millions of people in danger. Though much advertising of the drug Tamiflu show's promise in the protection against the Bird Flu, it doesn not cure the H5N1 virus. There is currently no cure for the disease.

As previously mentioned above, the UN team focusing on the bird flu threat is primarily concerned with stopping the spread of the disease. This may be alarming to some seeing that we've all expected the UN and WHO (World Health Organization) to eventually find a cure. Not so! While some research into a cure for the disease has started, stopping the spread of the vius has proven to be the main prority.

Guess I`ll be turning my kitties into house cats!!

Writer, author, publisher, Charles Dumont has always written mostly on current affairs and day to day issues affecting human kind. Lately he's been very passionate due to the launch of his Avian Bird Flu blog. http://avian-bird-flu-crisis.blogspot.com

Has the Bird Flu Virus Outbreak Begun?

The bird flu virus has been scaring the wits out of health officials for the past couple of years. The first H5N1 strain developed way back during 1997 at Hong Kong. The first development wasn't given much of a concern.

Eventually the virus popped back out during 2003. It has first greatly affected a whole number of birds. The birds that became infected died really fast after showing signs of symptoms. The virus also spread quickly towards other flocks as well, causing them to die to.

The people who have had lots of exposure with this infected domesticated birds, naturally became the first human casualties. In fact, the infected have reached 140 in five years time in the Far eats. Eventually killing more than 50 people infected.

What is scaring the scientists now are the recent developments of the bird flu in Turkey. They fear that the virus may have already mutated and the transmission from one human to the other has now been possible. This is because in the span of a week, 15 people were reported to be infected already.

That development definitely scared the officials in Europe. It should also be causing major concern to other countries as well. Neighboring countries are becoming stricter on trucks that are coming from Turkey. The vehicles that pass by are being sprayed with disinfectant.

France has already released a budget to buy vaccines, antiviral and face masks.

However all these preparation being done may still not be that be helpful. The best way to prevent the pandemic from happening is to learn how to isolate the infected area. This is important because the virus may still escape via a human transport or a bird that may cause more contamination.

To calm people down, the number of 15 within a week is not much for concern. If the number reaches more than a 100, it shall be a cause for concern.

There are also many critics about the current medication available to help against bird flu. They say that the medication may not really be helpful and stockpiling it is just a waste of money.

The vaccine as of now may still be imperfect, but it does help a person a better chance to get through with the flu.

As of the moment, since we have no idea if this virus could become the next pandemic or just a big bust. What's important is that we try to live a healthier lifestyle. Maybe that's what this virus is all about anyway. It's just telling us that maybe we should change our lifestyle into a healthier one.

Michael Colucci is a technical writer for Bird Flu Facts - A free site that offers facts on the history, prevention, vaccines and more on the Bird Flu Virus.

Stop the Spread Of Diseases Such As Bird Flu

Preventing of the spread diseases like Bird Flu is the responsibility of everyone. It is known that bird feeders are a source of transmission of avian flu viruses and related diseases. Many communities have zoning laws which are meant to prevent people from feeding pigeons and seagulls. Bird droppings, when massed in open areas close to pedestrian walkways and windows provide ideal pathways for pathogens to spread not only from bird to bird, but from bird to humans. We therefore suggest that if you want to feed birds and provide for there needs you consider planting shrubs and trees that provide birds with sources of food that more mimics the natural environment. Plants such as viburnums are an excellent choice. They not only provide seeds that are available in the late winter, but also shelter.

In Hong Kong, the government has already started to prevent the spread of bird flu by telling citizens that wild pigeon droppings may help spread harmful germs, and that avoiding feeding them is the best way to minimize their congregation. Therefore any wild bird feeders in common areas at public rental housing estates and markets will be served a fine without any prior warnings.

Viburnums are the most attractive, versatile, adaptable shrubs for any landscape. They can be used as hedges or screens and in mixed perennial/shrub borders. They can also stand alone as specimen plants. They usually take the form of shrubs, but some species can become small ornamental trees. They range in size from the Dwarf American Cranberrybush at 2 feet tall by 2 feet wide, to the Siebold at over 15 feet tall. Viburnums are plants with year round interest. All Viburnums have profuse white to pink flowers in the spring. They have large, attractive and often textured leaves. Some viburnums have wonderfully fragrant flowers that are produced in snowball- shaped clusters in April. Their flower clusters can consist of pink buds, which develop into white flowers. Some fruits are red and turn black with age. Leaves are glossy, dark green and turn a burgundy color in the fall. Midsummer berries are an important food source for birds.Viburnums provide birds with feed and shelter in a natural manner. Birds will not feed in an area that masses birds and bird droppings. This is a more sanitary way to feed birds than with a bird feeder. Additionally you never forget to refill the viburnums as each year there will be a new crop of berries. Viburnums have colorful red to purple leaves. Some viburnums can become medium-size trees, especially if they are pruned. Viburnums excel as specimen plants or as anchors in mixed borders. You won't find a more versatile group of shrubs for hedges or for massing in groups, since viburnums hold their own in every season. Some viburnums, such as Prague viburnum 'Pragense', are evergreen. Others, such as leatherleaf viburnum, are semi-evergreen in colder climates, losing their leaves when temperatures dip below 10 degrees. The best feature of Viburnums is their adaptability. While they would prefer full sun and moderately watered, well-drained rich soils, they will grow very well in part shade in alkaline, clay soils. Diseases and pests rarely attack them. My kids have run over them with brush hogs and they survived. Their fibrous root system makes them transplant easily. If you are searching for a good-looking hardy shrub consider one of the many members of the Viburnum family.

Viburnums have long been popular garden plants, celebrated for their white, often fragrant spring flowers and their fall color. But it's the Asian viburnums that have so far ruled the roost. Perhaps the most widely appreciated viburnums are the Burkwood viburnum (Viburnum x burkwoodii), and the Korean spice viburnum (V. carlesii), both of which fill the air with an enchanting clove-like aroma in mid-spring. Also popular is the doublefile viburnum (V. plicatum f. tomentosum), valued for its layered habit, fall foliage, and clusters of red fruits. Viburnum acerifolium (Maple-leafed viburnum) Although I wouldn't garden without any of these, I have a special fondness for several of our very garden-worthy native viburnums. They may not provide the enticing flower fragrance of their Asian cousins, but I love them nonetheless--not only for their marvelous fall foliage color (championed by Darke) but also for their copious fruit displays, which attract birds to my garden in the fall and winter months. In addition, several are useful to today's water-wise gardeners or for tough urban conditions. They require only corrective pruning, and none commonly suffer from pests or diseases. Viburnums are considered moist woodland plants. In nature they are found along steam banks from Long Island to Florida. When you come to our 5275 West Swamp Rd. location ask us to show some in their native habitat that we found along our stream bank. These plants perform well under normal landscape conditions. I especially like the floral display in the spring and these viburnums that bear fruit in the fall. Winterthur has great red leaves and abundant fruit in the fall. This cultivar needs a cross pollinator such as viburnum nudum. Native Americans used Viburnum dentatum (arrowwood viburnum) for arrow shafts. There stems are long and strait. This plant will grow in places many plants struggle. So if you have had trouble with plants in a harsh location try this cultivar. Viburnums We raise over 12 types of Viburnums on our farms from seedlings to 5' shrubs. If you have poor soils due to compacting from construction, try viburnums. Being rugged and hardy, they perform where other plants fail. American Cranberry Bush KoreanSpice Blackhaw ArrowwoodViburnum Chicago Luster Dawn Summer Snowflake Shasta Winterthur Blue Muffin Burkwood Erie Tea Judd Korean Spice Praque Siebold You can see more of Bill's writing and tips at his web site http://www.seedlingsrus.com

Doctor Bill piles it high and deep with this unusal method to safeguard birds and man from the spread of bird flu.

Simple Solutions To Complicated Problems Such As Bird Flu

There is a simple solution for preventing of the spread diseases like Bird Flu. It is known that bird feeders are a source of transmission of avian flu viruses and related diseases. Many communities have zoning laws which are meant to prevent people from feeding pigeons and seagulls. Bird droppings, when massed in open areas close to pedestrian walkways and windows provide ideal pathways for pathogens to spread not only from bird to bird, but from bird to humans. We therefore suggest that if you want to feed birds and provide for there needs you consider planting shrubs and trees that provide birds with sources of food that more mimics the natural environment. Plants such as viburnums are an excellent choice. They not only provide seeds that are available in the late winter, but also shelter.

In Hong Kong, the government has already started to prevent the spread of bird flu by telling citizens that wild pigeon droppings may help spread harmful germs, and that avoiding feeding them is the best way to minimize their congregation. Therefore any wild bird feeders in common areas at public rental housing estates and markets will be served a fine without any prior warnings.

Viburnums are the most attractive, versatile, adaptable shrubs for any landscape. They can be used as hedges or screens and in mixed perennial/shrub borders. They can also stand alone as specimen plants. They usually take the form of shrubs, but some species can become small ornamental trees. They range in size from the Dwarf American Cranberrybush at 2 feet tall by 2 feet wide, to the Siebold at over 15 feet tall. Viburnums are plants with year round interest. All Viburnums have profuse white to pink flowers in the spring. They have large, attractive and often textured leaves. Some viburnums have wonderfully fragrant flowers that are produced in snowball- shaped clusters in April. Their flower clusters can consist of pink buds, which develop into white flowers. Some fruits are red and turn black with age. Leaves are glossy, dark green and turn a burgundy color in the fall. Midsummer berries are an important food source for birds.Viburnums provide birds with feed and shelter in a natural manner. Birds will not feed in an area that masses birds and bird droppings. This is a more sanitary way to feed birds than with a bird feeder. Additionally you never forget to refill the viburnums as each year there will be a new crop of berries. Viburnums have colorful red to purple leaves. Some viburnums can become medium-size trees, especially if they are pruned. Viburnums excel as specimen plants or as anchors in mixed borders. You won't find a more versatile group of shrubs for hedges or for massing in groups, since viburnums hold their own in every season. Some viburnums, such as Prague viburnum 'Pragense', are evergreen. Others, such as leatherleaf viburnum, are semi-evergreen in colder climates, losing their leaves when temperatures dip below 10 degrees. The best feature of Viburnums is their adaptability. While they would prefer full sun and moderately watered, well-drained rich soils, they will grow very well in part shade in alkaline, clay soils. Diseases and pests rarely attack them. My kids have run over them with brush hogs and they survived. Their fibrous root system makes them transplant easily. If you are searching for a good-looking hardy shrub consider one of the many members of the Viburnum family.

Viburnums have long been popular garden plants, celebrated for their white, often fragrant spring flowers and their fall color. But it's the Asian viburnums that have so far ruled the roost. Perhaps the most widely appreciated viburnums are the Burkwood viburnum (Viburnum x burkwoodii), and the Korean spice viburnum (V. carlesii), both of which fill the air with an enchanting clove-like aroma in mid-spring. Also popular is the doublefile viburnum (V. plicatum f. tomentosum), valued for its layered habit, fall foliage, and clusters of red fruits. Viburnum acerifolium (Maple-leafed viburnum) Although I wouldn't garden without any of these, I have a special fondness for several of our very garden-worthy native viburnums. They may not provide the enticing flower fragrance of their Asian cousins, but I love them nonetheless--not only for their marvelous fall foliage color (championed by Darke) but also for their copious fruit displays, which attract birds to my garden in the fall and winter months. In addition, several are useful to today's water-wise gardeners or for tough urban conditions. They require only corrective pruning, and none commonly suffer from pests or diseases. Viburnums are considered moist woodland plants. In nature they are found along steam banks from Long Island to Florida. When you come to our 5275 West Swamp Rd. location ask us to show some in their native habitat that we found along our stream bank. These plants perform well under normal landscape conditions. I especially like the floral display in the spring and these viburnums that bear fruit in the fall. Winterthur has great red leaves and abundant fruit in the fall. This cultivar needs a cross pollinator such as viburnum nudum. Native Americans used Viburnum dentatum (arrowwood viburnum) for arrow shafts. There stems are long and strait. This plant will grow in places many plants struggle. So if you have had trouble with plants in a harsh location try this cultivar. Viburnums We raise over 12 types of Viburnums on our farms from seedlings to 5' shrubs. If you have poor soils due to compacting from construction, try viburnums. Being rugged and hardy, they perform where other plants fail. American Cranberry Bush KoreanSpice Blackhaw ArrowwoodViburnum Chicago Luster Dawn Summer Snowflake Shasta Winterthur Blue Muffin Burkwood Erie Tea Judd Korean Spice Praque Siebold You can see more of Bill's writing and tips at his web site http://www.seedlingsrus.com

Doctor Bill piles it high and deep with this unusal method to safeguard birds and man from the spread of bird flu. The simple solution is cheap and effective.

Preventing the Spread Of Diseases Such As Bird Flu

Preventing of the spread of Bird Flu is the responsibility of everyone. It is known that bird feeders are a source of transmission of avian flu viruses and related diseases. Many communities have zoning laws which are meant to prevent people from feeding pigeons and seagulls. Bird droppings, when massed in open areas close to pedestrian walkways and windows provide ideal pathways for pathogens to spread not only from bird to bird, but from bird to humans. We therefore suggest that if you want to feed birds and provide for there needs you consider planting shrubs and trees that provide birds with sources of food that more mimics the natural environment. Plants such as viburnums are an excellent choice. They not only provide seeds that are available in the late winter, but also shelter.

In Hong Kong, the government has already started to prevent the spread of bird flu by telling citizens that wild pigeon droppings may help spread harmful germs, and that avoiding feeding them is the best way to minimize their congregation. Therefore any wild bird feeders in common areas at public rental housing estates and markets will be served a fine without any prior warnings.

Viburnums are the most attractive, versatile, adaptable shrubs for any landscape. They can be used as hedges or screens and in mixed perennial/shrub borders. They can also stand alone as specimen plants. They usually take the form of shrubs, but some species can become small ornamental trees. They range in size from the Dwarf American Cranberrybush at 2 feet tall by 2 feet wide, to the Siebold at over 15 feet tall. Viburnums are plants with year round interest. All Viburnums have profuse white to pink flowers in the spring. They have large, attractive and often textured leaves. Some viburnums have wonderfully fragrant flowers that are produced in snowball- shaped clusters in April. Their flower clusters can consist of pink buds, which develop into white flowers. Some fruits are red and turn black with age. Leaves are glossy, dark green and turn a burgundy color in the fall. Midsummer berries are an important food source for birds.Viburnums provide birds with feed and shelter in a natural manner. Birds will not feed in an area that masses birds and bird droppings. This is a more sanitary way to feed birds than with a bird feeder. Additionally you never forget to refill the viburnums as each year there will be a new crop of berries. Viburnums have colorful red to purple leaves. Some viburnums can become medium-size trees, especially if they are pruned. Viburnums excel as specimen plants or as anchors in mixed borders. You won't find a more versatile group of shrubs for hedges or for massing in groups, since viburnums hold their own in every season. Some viburnums, such as Prague viburnum 'Pragense', are evergreen. Others, such as leatherleaf viburnum, are semi-evergreen in colder climates, losing their leaves when temperatures dip below 10 degrees. The best feature of Viburnums is their adaptability. While they would prefer full sun and moderately watered, well-drained rich soils, they will grow very well in part shade in alkaline, clay soils. Diseases and pests rarely attack them. My kids have run over them with brush hogs and they survived. Their fibrous root system makes them transplant easily. If you are searching for a good-looking hardy shrub consider one of the many members of the Viburnum family.

Viburnums have long been popular garden plants, celebrated for their white, often fragrant spring flowers and their fall color. But it's the Asian viburnums that have so far ruled the roost. Perhaps the most widely appreciated viburnums are the Burkwood viburnum (Viburnum x burkwoodii), and the Korean spice viburnum (V. carlesii), both of which fill the air with an enchanting clove-like aroma in mid-spring. Also popular is the doublefile viburnum (V. plicatum f. tomentosum), valued for its layered habit, fall foliage, and clusters of red fruits. Viburnum acerifolium (Maple-leafed viburnum) Although I wouldn't garden without any of these, I have a special fondness for several of our very garden-worthy native viburnums. They may not provide the enticing flower fragrance of their Asian cousins, but I love them nonetheless--not only for their marvelous fall foliage color (championed by Darke) but also for their copious fruit displays, which attract birds to my garden in the fall and winter months. In addition, several are useful to today's water-wise gardeners or for tough urban conditions. They require only corrective pruning, and none commonly suffer from pests or diseases. Viburnums are considered moist woodland plants. In nature they are found along steam banks from Long Island to Florida. When you come to our 5275 West Swamp Rd. location ask us to show some in their native habitat that we found along our stream bank. These plants perform well under normal landscape conditions. I especially like the floral display in the spring and these viburnums that bear fruit in the fall. Winterthur has great red leaves and abundant fruit in the fall. This cultivar needs a cross pollinator such as viburnum nudum. Native Americans used Viburnum dentatum (arrowwood viburnum) for arrow shafts. There stems are long and strait. This plant will grow in places many plants struggle. So if you have had trouble with plants in a harsh location try this cultivar. Viburnums We raise over 12 types of Viburnums on our farms from seedlings to 5' shrubs. If you have poor soils due to compacting from construction, try viburnums. Being rugged and hardy, they perform where other plants fail. American Cranberry Bush KoreanSpice Blackhaw ArrowwoodViburnum Chicago Luster Dawn Summer Snowflake Shasta Winterthur Blue Muffin Burkwood Erie Tea Judd Korean Spice Praque Siebold You can see more of Bill's writing and tips at his web site http://www.seedlingsrus.com

Doctor Bill piles it high and deep with this unusal method to safeguard birds and man from the spread of bird flu.

Prevent the Spread Of Diseases Such As Bird Flu

Prevention of the spread of Bird Flu is the responsibility of everyone. It is known that bird feeders are a source of transmission of avian flu viruses and related diseases. Many communities have zoning laws which are meant to prevent people from feeding pigeons and seagulls. Bird droppings, when massed in open areas close to pedestrian walkways and windows provide ideal pathways for pathogens to spread not only from bird to bird, but from bird to humans. We therefore suggest that if you want to feed birds and provide for there needs you consider planting shrubs and trees that provide birds with sources of food that more mimics the natural environment. Plants such as viburnums are an excellent choice. They not only provide seeds that are available in the late winter, but also shelter.

In Hong Kong, the government has already started to prevent the spread of bird flu by telling citizens that wild pigeon droppings may help spread harmful germs, and that avoiding feeding them is the best way to minimize their congregation. Therefore any wild bird feeders in common areas at public rental housing estates and markets will be served a fine without any prior warnings.

Viburnums are the most attractive, versatile, adaptable shrubs for any landscape. They can be used as hedges or screens and in mixed perennial/shrub borders. They can also stand alone as specimen plants. They usually take the form of shrubs, but some species can become small ornamental trees. They range in size from the Dwarf American Cranberrybush at 2 feet tall by 2 feet wide, to the Siebold at over 15 feet tall. Viburnums are plants with year round interest. All Viburnums have profuse white to pink flowers in the spring. They have large, attractive and often textured leaves. Some viburnums have wonderfully fragrant flowers that are produced in snowball- shaped clusters in April. Their flower clusters can consist of pink buds, which develop into white flowers. Some fruits are red and turn black with age. Leaves are glossy, dark green and turn a burgundy color in the fall. Midsummer berries are an important food source for birds.Viburnums provide birds with feed and shelter in a natural manner. Birds will not feed in an area that masses birds and bird droppings. This is a more sanitary way to feed birds than with a bird feeder. Additionally you never forget to refill the viburnums as each year there will be a new crop of berries. Viburnums have colorful red to purple leaves. Some viburnums can become medium-size trees, especially if they are pruned. Viburnums excel as specimen plants or as anchors in mixed borders. You won't find a more versatile group of shrubs for hedges or for massing in groups, since viburnums hold their own in every season. Some viburnums, such as Prague viburnum 'Pragense', are evergreen. Others, such as leatherleaf viburnum, are semi-evergreen in colder climates, losing their leaves when temperatures dip below 10 degrees. The best feature of Viburnums is their adaptability. While they would prefer full sun and moderately watered, well-drained rich soils, they will grow very well in part shade in alkaline, clay soils. Diseases and pests rarely attack them. My kids have run over them with brush hogs and they survived. Their fibrous root system makes them transplant easily. If you are searching for a good-looking hardy shrub consider one of the many members of the Viburnum family.

Viburnums have long been popular garden plants, celebrated for their white, often fragrant spring flowers and their fall color. But it's the Asian viburnums that have so far ruled the roost. Perhaps the most widely appreciated viburnums are the Burkwood viburnum (Viburnum x burkwoodii), and the Korean spice viburnum (V. carlesii), both of which fill the air with an enchanting clove-like aroma in mid-spring. Also popular is the doublefile viburnum (V. plicatum f. tomentosum), valued for its layered habit, fall foliage, and clusters of red fruits. Viburnum acerifolium (Maple-leafed viburnum) Although I wouldn't garden without any of these, I have a special fondness for several of our very garden-worthy native viburnums. They may not provide the enticing flower fragrance of their Asian cousins, but I love them nonetheless--not only for their marvelous fall foliage color (championed by Darke) but also for their copious fruit displays, which attract birds to my garden in the fall and winter months. In addition, several are useful to today's water-wise gardeners or for tough urban conditions. They require only corrective pruning, and none commonly suffer from pests or diseases. Viburnums are considered moist woodland plants. In nature they are found along steam banks from Long Island to Florida. When you come to our 5275 West Swamp Rd. location ask us to show some in their native habitat that we found along our stream bank. These plants perform well under normal landscape conditions. I especially like the floral display in the spring and these viburnums that bear fruit in the fall. Winterthur has great red leaves and abundant fruit in the fall. This cultivar needs a cross pollinator such as viburnum nudum. Native Americans used Viburnum dentatum (arrowwood viburnum) for arrow shafts. There stems are long and strait. This plant will grow in places many plants struggle. So if you have had trouble with plants in a harsh location try this cultivar. Viburnums We raise over 12 types of Viburnums on our farms from seedlings to 5' shrubs. If you have poor soils due to compacting from construction, try viburnums. Being rugged and hardy, they perform where other plants fail. American Cranberry Bush KoreanSpice Blackhaw ArrowwoodViburnum Chicago Luster Dawn Summer Snowflake Shasta Winterthur Blue Muffin Burkwood Erie Tea Judd Korean Spice Praque Siebold You can see more of Bill's writing and tips at his web site http://www.seedlingsrus.com

Doctor Bill piles it high and deep with this unusal method to safeguard birds and man from the spread of bird flu.

Bird Flu - Likely To Occur Again And Again

There are three types of Influenza ? Pandemic flu, Bird flu or avian flue and Seasonal flu.
Among them Bird Flu or Avian Flu is our present topic of discussions.

The recent Bird Flu pandemic in different parts of this planet is causing concern to every one. Let us see what Bird Flu is and what their origin is.

Like humans, birds are also susceptible to Influenza. Migratory wild fowls, notably wild ducks, are natural carriers of this disease. The disease is caused by the virus of type H5 and H7. The present day concern is about the strain H5N1 which is deadly and may be fatal to humans who come in close contacts with the live and infected bird.

It is astonishing that, although the wild migratory birds carry the virus, they are seldom attacked by this. But they can easily transmit the disease by their droppings and other secretion to the domestic birds like chickens, fowls and even other domestic animals like pigs causing them ill with avian influenza.

Global concern is that the bird flu virus, if transmitted from the ailing bird to humans, may mutate and become fatal to the person affected by it. For the last few years, considerable number of human deaths occurred due to the infection from the ailing birds.

Bird flu out breaks and their subsequent effects on humans are not uncommon in history. In 1918, outbreak of human flu pandemic was recorded. This, as well as flu pandemics of 1957 and 1968 are believed to have been the results of Bird flu.

In recent years of 1997, 1999, 2002 and 2003, bird flu pandemics occurred and affected the humans also causing a few deaths in Hong Kong and other far east countries.

Actually, as the disease is carried by migratory birds, there is no way of preventing the disease to spread. The bird flu pandemics can be expected to occur three or four times in hundred years, according to WHO experts.

So we should protect the domestic birds such that they are not fallen into contacts with the droppings and other secretions of the wild virus carrying birds.

Appropriate medicine for bird flu is generic Tamiflu whose medical name is Oseltamivir Phosphate which attacks the influenza virus and stops it spreading inside the body. It is an oral anti viral medicine.

Here we are providing some Tamiflu information below:

§ The recommended dose of Tamiflu is one 75 mg capsule to be taken two times daily. The medicine is to be taken for five days.

§ The medicine can be taken with or without food.

§ The drug has its side effects too. The most frequently reported side effects are nausea, vomiting, bronchitis, trouble sleeping and dizziness.

§ The drug is not approved to be used for children under the age of 18.

§ Its effectiveness to prevent the flu or to decrease the risk of transmitting the virus to others has not been established.

Probably we can not check the pandemic of bird flu. Its nature is such that it will occur again and again. But we can take measures to save domestic birds as well as man kind at large by proper protection against it.

Jenifer D'souza is an amateur writer to http://www.finegenerics.com providing information on all health related topics or on the latest health topics. For more information, contact jenifr@gmail.com or visit http://www.finegenerics.com

Real Estate and Bird Flu

Could real estate values be sent to a sick bed by a bird flu epidemic? No one will know until or if it happens, but even a small epidemic could cause a panic.

Right now the news media is reporting the daily spread of bird flu in countries that are an ocean away. The disease has jumped from birds to animals and even to a few humans. Most of the infected people have died.

All those news stories have already placed a sliver of fear into the hearts of North American residents. How do you suppose the majority will react when the first case of bird flu hits the U.S.? I am afraid it won't be pretty.

Remember the near panic that occurred as we approached the year 2000. There were warnings of dire financial results and people were scared out of their wits. That may be just a small preview of what will happen when people believe the disease is about to sweep the nation. A disease that may have already killed tens of thousands in Europe and Asia before it hits here in full force.

Do you think Kentucky Fried Chicken stock will crash? How about Tyson Foods, the country's largest chicken processor? Their business will be in trouble when consumers stop buying chicken and they can no longer export poultry products.

Eggs could be selling for $10 dollars each... if you can find one. Any business having anything to do with fowl will be out of luck.

Tens of thousands of people could be thrown out of work. That will certainly have a ripple effect on real estate. People out of work can't buy homes, pay rent or keep up with mortgage payments.

If a bird flu epidemic proves to be as severe as some predict we could see hundreds of thousands of people dead or at least very seriously ill. That can't be good for the economy or real estate.

Fear could cause thousands of people to flee cities as they try to avoid being infected. There could be a lawless panic like we have never seen in the history of the U.S.

Maybe!

Please don't consider this a prediction of what is surely going to occur. We certainly hope that it won't. We have all heard disaster false alarms before.

Medical scientists are working feverishly to develop a vaccine to immunize people against the disease. We hope they make it in time, but even if they do there may not be enough manufacturing capacity to produce vaccine in the quantities needed to save more than two or three million. Government officials and the wealthy will surely be first in line.

Will banks close? Will the government cease to function? Will water and power utilities be unavailable? Will certain foreign countries be in a position to attack us in our weakened state? Will terror cells do all they can to spread the disease?

It has been reported that the military now has plans to quarantine the first area of the country to be hit by bird flu. No one will be able to get in or out.

Even if you were absolutely certain that a bird flu disaster was going to hit this country, what would you do? How would you cope with vacant property? Could you survive financially without the income from the notes you hold?

Some would recall that old saying "Fortunes are made when there is blood in the streets." Savvy investors buy property during bad times and turn a profit when good times return. Would you plan on buying property from distressed owners at the height of the bird flu disaster? With thousands dead it could be decades before demand for housing would catch up with the left over supply.

Should you sell everything now, buy gold coins and move to a remote area where there are few people and you can control your contact with birds and animals? You might regret that drastic action if the flu danger proves to be far overblown, like what happened with the arrival new millennium.

What can you do? First, be sure that every member of your family has their estate plan in order - including yours! After that, perhaps the only sensible solution is to do your best to protect the health of your family and hope for the best.

Investor Mark Walters is taking action to protect the health of his family and perhaps ward off bird flu. You can do the same with a guide you will find when you Click Here!

How Bird Flu Respirator's Should Be Used

There are two kinds of bird flu wear protection that a person who will come into contact with infected poultry or just poultry or an infected person. The person should consider wearing either a bird flu respirator or a bird flu mask.

A bird flu masks only helps prevent particles or droplets to be discharged in the environment the wearer is in. The mask is not generally used to filter efficiently or to seal the face tightly. A bird flu respirator is what is considered helpful in reducing the wearer's chances of exposure to airborne particles such as bird flu. A bird flu mask is often confused like a bird flu respirator because both look alike.

The bird flu mask or respirator should be used by people who think they will come in contact with persons or birds infected with the H5N1 strain. The people who use this should just consider it to be one way of being hygienic way of prevention.

A patient who thinks he or she has been feeling symptoms and knows has been in contact with infected birds should wear a bird flu mask as well. People who often travel a lot, especially to those infected places should also consider bringing a bird flu respirator.

If a bird flu respirator is not present, the bird flu mask will have to do. The mask or the respirator should also be fitted in properly to make it work. However, wearing the mask is still not a guaranteed way you won't contact the viral disease.

The only time a person working closely with infected birds or persons or just birds is when they are away from the contaminated or possible contaminated area. Then after removing the equipment, remember to thoroughly wash your hands. Then dispose the equipment immediately after going on a safer area. The effectiveness of the respirator last only for 8 hours.

When buying the bird flu mask or respirator, it always has directions or instructions how to properly use it. Always remember when transporting the equipment to protect it from any kind of damage.

The bird flu respirator should be sealing the face very tightly. If the breathing becomes difficult, the respirator might have been damaged. If it is, go to a safe place and change the respirator.

The right way to wear it to know how effective it is, is to fit it snuggly in the face, the metal strip should be atop and the colored part outside. The mask should be firmly placed by positioning the strings right. The metallic strip should be molded at the nose's bridge.

A bird flu mask or respirator is only a part to help prevent the further damaging of implications of bird flu. It is not a sure fire way to prevent the outbreak, but it is a way to reduce the potential damage.

Michael Colucci is a technical writer for Bird Flu Facts - A free site that offers facts on the history, prevention, vaccines and more on the Bird Flu Virus.

Oseltamivir - Beware Bird Flu

This avian influenza which is spreading with great leaps and bounds has really taken the toll of health from many but now no more of mass destruction, kill the virus through ostalmivir phosphate (tamiflu). This drug has been of great help in recovery from bird flu.

Tamiflu speeds recovery from the flu. This drug can prevent flu if treatment is started within two days after exposure to a flu victim. When started during first two days of illness it hastens improvement by at least 24 hours. Oseltamivir is an antiviral medication. It blocks the action of viruses in your body. Viruses are intermediate link between living and non living things. They stay dormant until the time they are outside the body but as soon as they enter a living being they start multiplying. Same happens with tamiflu , as the flu virus takes hold in the body, it forms new copies of itself and spread from cell to cell. Neuraminidase inhibitors fight the virus by preventing the release of new copies from infected cells.

The medication as well as dosage is really easy. Tamiflu can be taken in capsule or liquid form. Each capsule should be taken with a glass full of water. In case of liquid dosage shake the suspension well and then measure the dose with a dose measuring devise. Tamiflu can be taken with or without food, is usually taken twice a day for the first 5 days. The suspension should be well refrigerated; the capsules should be kept at room temperature away from heat or moisture.

A double dose should never be taken, the missed dose should be taken as soon as you remember. In case you have nausea and vomitish feeling there are chances that you have overdosed hence, the doctor should be consulted immediately.

Hence now save yourself from the flu by cheap and online Tamiflu.

For more information on generic drugs and diseases, visit http://www.finegenerics.com

Impending Disaster - The Bird Flu Pandemic

The flu; to many people, the flu is just a fever and chills they get in the winter, with maybe an upset stomach thrown in for good measure. The flu's common reputation belies its true nature as a deadly killer that could become even more deadly at the drop of a hat. Every year in the United States alone, about 40,000 - 60,000 people perish from this disease. Worldwide, the true total is unknown, but some estimates range as high as 1.5 million deaths per year. One of the more worrisome actors waiting in the wings of the world stage right now is an outbreak of a special strain of the Influenza virus known as the "Bird Flu".

The bird flu, as the avian influenza virus has come to be known is actually a strain of the flu caused by the H5N1 influenza virus. It is so known because it was first observed in, and has a predilection for attacking, birds. It is usually carried to a new area by migratory wild birds, where it then spreads to domestic poultry flocks. In some areas the threat of the bird flu has caused millions of birds to be culled to prevent the spread of the disease to even more birds, and possibly, humans. Although the disease was first observed in Asia in 1997, it has since spread throughout a large portion of the globe, touching down in Africa and western Europe in early 2006.

Why the commotion about a flu that infects birds? First of all the severe economic damage that is caused by the loss of millions of poultry is especially devastating in many of the countries that have been affected to date. Many of these countries have an extremely high dependence on poultry flocks as an economic staple. But the more dire consequence of the H5N1 virus is that it can kill humans too. In fact, it is an especially effective killer of humans, with a mortality rate so far of over 50% of those infected. So far, all cases of the virus affecting humans have been traced back to infected birds. There has been no documented case of human to human transmission, although some have been suspected.

Unlike some of the more traditional influenza viruses that infect humans, the bird flu does not limit itself to the old and previously ill when it kills. Many of those that have perished from the H5N1 virus have been in their teens and twenties, an age group that has been traditionally protected from the worst effects of influenza viruses. This is an uncanny parallel to some of the other extremely deadly influenza strains that have infected humans, such as the Spanish Influenza of 1918. The Spanish Influenza of 1918 was a pandemic. A pandemic is an epidemic outbreak of disease that spreads to a good portion of the globe. In the 1918 flu pandemic as many as 40 million people are thought to have died in less than a year.

There is a great fear among health officials in many countries and the World Health Organization that the bird flu could spawn such a pandemic. The key ingredient for a pandemic to occur is the ability for the flu virus to be easily transmitted between humans. According to the WHO "events during 2004, supported by epidemiological and virological surveillance, have given the world an unprecedented warning that a pandemic may be imminent". Easy human to human transmission of the bird flu could bring incalculable devastation to humanity. By some estimates, 250 - 300 million people, possibly more, could die within 6 months from an influenza pandemic. The loss of life and the strain on health care systems and national economies could spell ruin for many. All that is necessary for a pandemic to occur is a mutation of the H5N1 virus to a form that will allow humans to infect other humans. It takes just a small change in the surface proteins of the virus to allow this to happen. With the speed of modern transportation systems infected persons would spread the virus throughout the globe in matter of weeks.

Health authorities throughout the world are bracing for the effects of such a pandemic. The World Health Organization has 112 offices throughout the world that are tasked with monitoring and isolating influenza viruses. It is hoped this will allow the beginnings of a pandemic to be recognized in time.

Find out vital information to protect you and your loved ones from the coming bird flu pandemic at the Avian Flu Survival Guide

Bird Flu ? Waiting In The Wings

Avian influenza is spreading at an alarming rate and if it continues its flight soon it would turn into another pandemic.

Starting in the mid-2003 in South-East Asia, the pathogenic avian flu is the largest and most severe form bird flu going by the number of countries it has affected. The H5N1 virus that typically affects the bird populace has proved lethal. So far it has caused the death or destruction of an estimated 150 million birds in countries like Vietnam, Japan, Republic of Korea, Thailand, Cambodia, Lao People?s Democratic Republic, Indonesia, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Turkey, Romania and Malaysia. There are unconfirmed reports of bird flu from India and France also.

The H5N1 virus is also of serious concern for human health. It has been found to be highly contagious form of virus and can easily transmit to humans through the contact of excretal or nasal secretions from infected birds. If not detected and treated early, the bird flu can prove fatal. And if precautionary measures are not taken at the earliest, it could change into a form that is highly infectious and could easily spread from person to person. Such a change could mark the start of flu pandemic. Already, a number of countries have reported confirmed human cases and even deaths due to avian influenza and this number is constantly on the rise.

Bird Flu Prevention

?Prevention is the best cure? goes the famous adage. The precautionary measures initiated in anticipation go a long way in curbing aggravation.

Firstly, the poultry farm owners must send random samples of their birds for thorough examination to the nearest veterinary/avian lab. All the infected birds must be immediately culled and the others properly vaccinated. The workers at the poultry farms must cover themselves properly so as to avoid a direct contact with the infected secretions from birds.

It is perfectly safe to eat poultry products provided the food is thoroughly and properly cooked. It is believed that the avian influenza virus cannot survive temperatures above 700 C. Juices from raw poultry and poultry products should not be allowed during food preparation to touch or mix with items eaten raw. One must wash his hands properly with soap and hot water after coming in contact with the poultry products.

Bird Flu Treatment

Though vaccines are available to counter seasonal influenza but no such shot has been developed till date against the H5N1 virus.

Only two drugs are found to be effective against the deadly avian flu ? Tamiflu (oseltamivir) and Relenza (zanamivir). These drugs are effective only if taken within 48 hours of occurrence of first symptoms. The inhibitive factors regarding bird flu treatment seem to be the prohibitive costs and the limited production of these drugs.

For convenience, the patients can buy Tamiflu online only after proper diagnosis and prescription for the drug.

The bird flu is certainly a potential pandemic threat and must be addressed globally on humanitarian basis.

Andrew Taylor is an associated editor to the website http://www.checkflu.com, a Roche Tamiflu Online site, is committed to provide visitors with complete information on Roche Tamiflu, Treatment of Influenza, Tamiflu, Influenza, Avian Influenza, H5N1 Virus, Human Transmission, Bird Flu etc.Please send your feedback at andrewtlr@gmail.com

How Bird Flu Kills

The bird flu virus is supposed to be really affecting the birds only. However, because of the nature of flu viruses that can be able to mutate and transfer from one species to the other. The bird flu virus that has been killing birds has now been affecting humans as well.

The good news is that bird flu virus has only killed few humans as of the moment. That?s why health officials are working overtime to prevent bird flu from becoming an outbreak. How the virus works on humans is still a complete wonder. There are still more and more studies undertaken to fully understand this virus.

What is known however is that there are 15 types of avian flu virus that affects birds. That?s why birds also have running noses as well, only theirs is a running beak (corny). The current outbreak of bird flu is caused by the H5N1 strain. This strain is very contagious and can cause rapid fatalities. This strain, unlike the others, can be transmitted to humans, which makes it deadlier.

Remember the SARS scare we experienced years back? Compared to Bird Flu, SARS is just an ordinary cold. Their symptoms are similar but the virus that causes them is completely different. SARS is also less contagious because the person infected can just be isolated.

There could be low pathogenic virus or high pathogenic virus that can affect birds. The low pathogenic virus can affect birds in minor ways only. Ruffled feathers and reduced egg production are some. Highly pathogenic virus cause severe diseases such as respiratory diseases. In domestic birds, when the symptoms appear, they die the same day.

Other symptoms of the bird flu on birds are: loss of appetite, nervousness like chicken little, coughing, sneezing, diarrhea, and depression. Yes, birds do get depressed and they might end up being suicidal, drinking your Prozac.

Just as in the birds, the highly pathogenic forms are the ones that greatly affect the humans as well. These highly pathogenic forms are what cause deaths in humans as well.

The incubation period of the bird flu on humans is still not yet known clearly. The ill effects might develop one to five days from exposure to the virus.

Sometimes, the only indication that a person has been infected is an eye infection or conjunctivitis. However, having conjunctivitis, you might only think that it?s ordinary sore eyes.

Then other symptoms that are common to flu are also developed. That?s why it really is hard to know that the person has been affected by the virus. Other symptoms include, cough, fever, and sore throat.

It will then develop to life threatening complications that include viral pneumonia, and respiratory failure and distress.

That?s why health officials and scientist are scrambling for ways to just make ways to prevent outbreaks. Because they would not want a person to have misconceptions that he or she only has ordinary flu, but is the already life-threatening bird flu.

Michael Colucci is a technical writer for http://www.bird-flu-facts.org - A free site that offers facts on the history, prevention, vaccines and more on the Bird Flu Virus.