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!