“Bird
Flu” Precautions
November 5, 2005
“Bird flu” might become a pandemic and kill
millions worldwide if the virus mutates and was then able to spread from
person to person. Thankfully, this is not the case right now.
Viruses frequently and rapidly mutate and
adjust to their environment including hosts such as birds and humans. This
genetic drift is a continual process so no one knows precisely when and if
the awaited change to a human to human version will arise. We do know those
who directly handle birds are at most risk and some people seem to
especially susceptible.
The death rate has been reported to be 50
percent though many strongly believe the rate is closer to 70 percent. For
comparison, the 1918 Flu cruelly killed 2 percent of those infected,
primarily those under 30 years and caused the death of 50 million. In 1957
and 1968, the Asian flu and Hong Kong flu, respectively, entered the United
States and killed hundreds of thousands of Americans. No flu since has had
this effect.
Right now, the “bird flu” is principally
that, a virus adapted to birds, especially in migratory birds which poop
into water and after domestic birds such as chickens, ducks and geese, drink
that water, become infected. The virus can spread quickly and kill a flock
of thousands of chickens within 24 hours. The consequences to local
economies in the Asian world is enormous; it is the rural poor who raise
chickens for food and cash.
The Bush Administration began to stock up
on the anti-viral, Tamiflu in 2005 while other countries started
years ago. This typical head-in-the-sand attitude will definitely cost
thousands of American lives in the future. Though it might comforting to
know, in a strange way, that Tamiflu may be ineffective against “bird flu”.
There is no guarantee. If it has some effectiveness, it must be taken within
2 days after symptoms begin and continually for two weeks after that.
The new Health and Human Services Director
appears qualified and has immediately started to get a grip on this
situation. His steps have been science-based. A nice change. Still, there is
still no government plan for an outbreak of any type either for the "bird
flu", small pox or any bio-agent. Since the current government is
politically polarized, generally incompetent and dismissive of science, you
will need to take precautions for yourself and your family.
First, do not to count on "the government" to help you.
They turned their backs on citizens after Katrina and the political blame
game has mired everything to a stand still so far. There is no reason to
expect "them" to help you in any disastrous event. Take personal
responsibility for yourself and your family.
Second, do not panic. This is tough in face
of a foreign threat, but it is essential. Normal flu starts in the Fall and
goes through Winter but ““bird flu”” has not followed such a pattern. It
might, there is no real experience with it yet. Remember one half of a
population will have direct exposures that can lead to the flu. Personal
avoidance can be very effective and can be:
Most of our citizens do not handle chicken
or other fowl and this is good. Typically Americans get chicken dead and
wrapped in foam containers to take home. Don’t handle live birds.
Cook your poultry well and to at least 165
F. Wash your hands after handling poultry and any surface it touches.
Stay healthy as you can, take a
multivitamin if you eat poorly.
Try to reduce inflammation within your body
since it is the basis for many diseases and can degrade your immune
response.
Flu out breaks may start at institutions
such as schools, day care centers, convalescent centers, hospitals and
prisons. They can start at any place where many people congregate such as
casinos, theaters and malls. Stay away from all of them if you can.
Don’t go to the hospital, emergency clinic
or even the doctor’s office during the flu season unless you really have to.
Remember there will be sick people there and very likely those who have
advanced cases of flu. Schedule doctor’s appointments no later than December
1st.
Keep away from people who may have the flu
or a cold. Stand at least a few feet away. More if possible.
If you are sick, stay home. If you are an
employer, send sick employees home don’t let your workplace be a focal point
for an outbreak.
You can get the flu merely by touching a
surface like a telephone or door knob that has been contaminated by a touch
from someone who has the flu so be cautious. Avoid public surfaces which can
be contaminated by hands or from coughs and sneezes.
Avoid coughs, and sneezes from anyone
around you. Anyone. If you are exposed this way, try to turn away and wash
you hands and face after exposure.
Do not touch your face with your hands.
This is hard, we unknowingly do this many times during the day. Make a
conscious effort to keep your hands away from your face. Hands are a great
way to transfer viruses to your eyes and nose.
Practice isolation measures at home. Those
who are sick, need to be particularly mindful and those who care for them as
well. Wear a face mask.
Wash you hands several times a day.
Anti-bacterial soaps are no more effective than “regular soaps”. The key is
to use warm water and wash your hands for 15-30 seconds, then rinse. Avoid
common towels.
Use paper towels at home and even
disposable cups during an outbreak. Dispose of trash promptly; once a day is
best.
Disinfect commonly touched surfaces within
the home. Sanitizer wipes are good choices.
Do not shake hands and be especially wary
of children. Parents with kids or those who work with them can't easily do
this, but keeping hands away from your face, avoiding sneezes and coughs and
washing hands will help significantly.
Get a regular flu shot in the fall. Though
the vaccine is only 80-85 percent effective it might help bolster your
overall immunity to flu, including the “bird flu”.
In public restrooms. use your elbows to
turn off the faucet and a paper towel to open a restroom door when leaving.
It is best to avoid public restrooms but this is obviously not always
possible. Remember… hands away from your face!
These measures will help but are not
guaranteed. There are no absolutes in life except death and taxes. Pay the
taxes but avoid death as best you can!
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FYI
The CDC case definitions
and response standards:
Testing for avian
influenza A (H5N1) is indicated for hospitalized patients with
·
radiographically confirmed pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS),
or other severe respiratory illness for which an alternate diagnosis has not
been established,
AND
·
history of
travel within 10 days of symptom onset to a country with documented H5N1
avian influenza in poultry and/or humans (for a regularly updated listing of
H5N1-affected countries.
Testing for avian
influenza A (H5N1) should be considered on a case-by-case basis in
consultation with state and local health departments for hospitalized or
ambulatory patients with:
·
documented
temperature of >38°C (>100.4°F), AND
·
one or
more of the following: cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, AND
·
history of
contact with poultry (e.g., visited a poultry farm, a household raising
poultry, or a bird market) or a known or suspected human case of influenza A
(H5N1) in an H5N1-affected country within 10 days of symptom onset.
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/professional/han020405.htm
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Interim Recommendations:
Infection Control Precautions for Influenza A(H5N1)
All patients who present to a health-care setting with fever and respiratory
symptoms should be managed according to recommendations for Respiratory
Hygiene and Cough Etiquette and questioned regarding their recent travel
history. Isolation precautions identical to those recommended for SARS
should be implemented for all hospitalized patients diagnosed with or under
evaluation for influenza A(H5N1) as follows:
--Standard Precautions:
Pay careful attention to hand hygiene before and after all patient contact
--Contact Precautions: Use gloves and gown for all patient contact
--Eye protection: Wear when within 3 feet of the patient
--Airborne Precautions
--Place the patient in an airborne isolation room (i.e., monitored negative
air pressure in relation to the surrounding areas with 6 to 12 air changes
per hour).
--Use a fit-tested respirator, at least as protective as a NIOSH-approved
N-95 filtering face piece respirator, when entering the room.
http://www.iwar.org.uk/news-archive/2004/02-04-14.htm
