Bird Flu Prevention

Prevention is better than cure! These words are too true. And countries around the world have taken to doing anything possible to prevent the outbreak of bird flu. Bird flu has killed more than 60 people thus far in South East Asia. This is since it was discovered in 2003. It also resulted in the deaths of millions of poultry.

This virus can be a serious threat if it develops the capacity of easy transmission from one person to another. Experts and decision-makers (400 of them!) had to gather recently for a three-day council of war on bird flu, which took place at the World Health Organisation headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland.

There is currently no vaccine available to protect humans against avian flu or bird flu ? also known as the H5N1 virus. But development is underway ? research began in 2005.

Personally, everyone should know what steps to take so as to keep risk at a minimum. Stay away from people who are coughing and sneezing, especially if you are visiting a country other than your own. Be especially careful if you do not know the bird flu status of that country. Try to avoid places with a lot of human traffic, such as movies, concerts or shopping malls. Try skip peak hour on busses or trains. But if you must travel in areas which are crowded, wear a mask or respirator. This will protect you against any airborne bird flu virus. These particles are released when people cough, sneeze and just talk.

There are so many measures that can take taken. Even in the work environment. Small things, such as using your own coffee mug and using disposable towels to open the toilet door, might just save your life. These things are not difficult to do ? personally I do most of them anyways. But if there is a serious risk then you may want to don your bird flu survival kit ? especially if you or a co-worker are coughing and sneezing.

Whether at home, work and out and about, try and pay attention to the small things. Do not share your cutlery or drink containers. What seems like sharing a cool drink may actually lead to contraction of the virus. Try not to touch things, such as the bathroom door or the handle of the shopping cart. Use towelling papers, or even wear gloves. If you saw all the germs on communal spots such as ATM machines anyways you would probably never take your gloves off in public again!

More questions answered with Bird Flu Q&A