The problem with bird flu is what to do in case of a pandemic. Bird flu is caused by influenza A viruses. Powerful governments tried to develop a plan to apply in case of a pandemic. Since 1997 it is known that UK had developed a pandemic plan that has been updated until October 2005 when it was published.
The plan shows the actions that Government and other authorities are prepared to take in case of a pandemic. In their plan are mentioned the action that different organizations would have to take in the possibility of a pandemic in order to stop or at least slow down the spread of infection and minimize the problems. The plan is made after the recommendations of World Health Organization for national pandemic plans. The plan is believed to be an efficient one hoping that in case of pandemic to help.
One of the most dangerous subtypes of influenza A viruses, the virus called H5N1 is believed to be the next pandemic cause. Specialists wonder about it and about the way it got to transmit from one person to another, knowing that it was a virus that only affected birds. Specialists are concerned about the ways this virus can mutate and wonder if it can mix with another human flu virus in order to form a virus that spreads easier among humans. Many questions are raised over this subject but we have a certitude. Specialists admit that H5N1 viruses are vulnerable to a class of antiviral drugs called neuraminidase inhibitors, even if it is believed that H5N1 is resistant to the alternative antiviral drug called amantadine.
UK government purchased a quarter of the population necessary of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and distributed these antivirals before September 2006. The UK department of health is stockpiling 3.3 million doses of H5N1 vaccines that may be used in healthcare workers if it would be a close enough match between the vaccine strain and the emerging pandemic strain.
This vaccine might be helpful at the time of a pandemic but it may also be unsuitable. Specialists thought about this problem too. They ask if the H5N1 virus will mutate would the vaccine be any good. Their answer is negative. They believe that in time, after suffering some changes, the virus H5N1 will immune to the vaccine because of the mutation. If the virus is going to chance substantially there is a low probability for the vaccine to be effective and than a new one should be developed.
During a bird pandemic you should remain as isolated from everybody outside your family as possible. Therefore, you should shop only for necessities: food, water, fuel and medicine.
Where?
Therefore, you should go only to a supermarket, drug store, gas station, convenience store or discount store.
A bird flu pandemic is not the time to buy furniture, clothes, electronic toys or tools. It's not a good time to hang out at the mall.
When?
Go during the slowest periods possible, so you will be exposed to as few people as possible. Check out your area to learn what stores stay open 24 hours a day. Which ones are open until late at night? Or start early in the morning?
Go at the time you'll most likely be the only one in the store except for a few employees.
How?
Gasoline may be in limited supply or totally out of stock. So you should not drive far.
Of course, you must make trade offs. If there's a Wal-Mart open all night but it's 3 miles away, that's worth driving to at 4 AM so you'll be alone except for the cashiers and the floor cleaners. However, driving to a store twenty miles away would use up too much gasoline.
Also, if you're going to walk to the store to save gasoline, do so only during the day. Yes, you may be exposed to more people, but they're less likely to rob you or worse. During a bird flu pandemic you cannot depend on law and order, so don't go out after dark unless you are in your car.
What?
Bottled water
Canned vegetables
Canned fruit
Sauerkraut -- good for encouraging growth of favorable bacteria in you, to discourage growth of H5N1. If you're in Asia, substitute Kim Chi.
Hand operated can openers
Garlic
Onions
Pre-cooked meats
Raw meat only for as long as you have electricity and/or gas to cook it with.
Fresh vegetables
Fresh fruit
Horseradish
Ginger root
Dried meat
Cheese -- low-fat preferred
Eggs
Fresh milk
Canned and dry milk
Canned fish
Canned meat
Quality vitamins and supplements, especially Vitamin C, selenium, zinc, Omega-3, lysine, beta glucan, Vitamin E, beta-carotene, Vitamin Bs, super green foods containing chlorophyl, ginseng, reservatrol, magnesium, DHEA, quercetin, bioflavanoids
Yogurt
Soap
Alcohol wipes
Antiseptic hand lotions
Propane
Kerosene
First aid supplies, including tea tree oil and NuSkin
Cold packs
Vaporizers
Toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoos -- all personal care items
Toilet paper and diapers
Household soaps and detergents
Magazines and paperback books to read
Leave behind:
Gimmicks herbs that don't increase your immune system functioning
Sugar and all sweet snacks and candy
Bread
Rice
Spaghetti and all noodles and pastas
Cigarettes
Alcohol
Fruit juices
Soft drinks
Reduce your risk of catching bird flu and strengthen your immune system to survive in case you do catch it.
Anything that increases your risk of catching bird flu is bad, as is anything that weakens your immune system.
A bird flu pandemic is not the time to be undisciplined and self-indulgent.
The pandemic is out of your personal control -- but you increases your odds of surviving by the actions you take.
Both Groshan Fabiola & Richard Stooker are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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