Panademic Direct and Bird Flu

Although here in North America we are not too concerned about the bird flu virus, there are many areas where outbreaks have been reported. Many people have lived their entire lives taking steps to special measures to avoid contracting it. Daily practices and routines help individuals limit their risk of contracting the bird flu virus. What sort of measures should be taken in the case of an epidemic?

 First of all people should avoid at all costs, direct contact with wild or domestic birds whether they are alive or dead. During a bird flu virus outbreak, it’s imperative to refrain from sacrificing wild or domestic birds. Poultry work such as working on a poultry farm or butchering poultry should be avoided in an area where there’s an outbreak of this disease. Any job or activity where human to bird contact might be made should definitely be avoided. It’s not only direct contact with infected birds that poses a risk but also handling anything that may have been soiled by infected birds. This might include refraining from using birds feces as a fertilizer or for any other reason. Eliminate the use of water that may be in contact with bird feces or respiratory fluids that may be contaminated by bird flu virus. Anything that has possibly been contaminated by infected birds should be avoided.

Beside the actual contact with infected birds or handling contaminated items, in areas where a bird flu virus is detected, people should definitely be careful about what they eat, especially raw poultry meat and eggs. This could certainly be an invitation for the virus. People should be careful not to get too close to patients with this disease. In a medical setting this may be difficult, but taking precautions will make the difference. In a laboratory setting, investigating and/or testing samples of this virus can be very risky.

Bird Flu Supplement

There may be some evidence pointing to selenium deficiency in populations that are more susceptible to the bird flu and other diseases. Perhaps selenium  can offer some protection. Selenium seems to be able to boost the immune system's ability to fight off illnesses. Viral mutations seem to have a better chance of gaining a foothold in the host if there is a weakened defense due to a lack of antioxidants.

cases and death bird flu

There has been at least one death in northern Iraq due to the H5N1 bird flu. Other countries too have had fatalities due to this disease.

panademic direct and bird flu

Bird are affected by the H5N1 virus, but people can succomb to it as well. People whose jobs deal with contact with birds and their droppings are at a much greater risk than the general population. Although so far it doesn't seem that the disease can spread from person to person, the virus might be able to mutate in such a way that this would be possible. Once that happens, it could spread globally.

novavax & bird flu vaccine

Novavax drug company, Rockville, Maryland, has been developing an avian flu vaccine. It seems to be safe and effective so far.

turkeys and the bird flu

To be on the safe side, health officials in Roanoke, Virginia, banned live poultry sales and shows in July of 2007. That's because avian flu antibodies were discovered in a flock of turkeys located in Shenandoah.

powered bird flu respirator

There are protective masks you can purchase that seem to be effective against airborne particles. Recommended by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, these are the 3M N95 8210 masks. In case of a pandemic of bird flu, these might help prevent further spread of the disease.
bird flu research development

If there is a pandemic of this disease, vaccines would be helpful in protecting the population, but there isn't enough of the vaccine yet and there would probably be a delay of several months before enough vaccine would be produced.

funny bird flu cartoons

Strange to say, cartoonists have drawn what they consider to be amusing cartoons about this subject.

jalpaiguri district and bird flu

An attack of this disease was reported in West Bengal in the Jalpaiguri district. When almost 120 Sadar-area chickens died, they tested positive for the bird flu.