Prevent Avian Bird Flu
What is it?
A pandemic is an outbreak that occurs worldwide and affects many people. Pandemics:
- Caused by new types of flu viruses (typically an animal virus such as bird flu).
- Can cause severe disease in humans.
- Are transmitted from person to person.
How is it spread?
- Person to person through coughing or sneezing.
- By touching surfaces contaminated with flu germs and then touching your eyes, mouth, or nose.
Dangers?
- Experts predict as many as 25% of people worldwide could become ill.
- Experts think about 1-5% of those who develop disease would die.
- Predicting exactly who would be at the greatest risk is difficult.
Treatment?
- The effectiveness of antiviral drugs is not known at this time.
Vaccine?
- Annual flu vaccine will not protect against pandemic flu.
- A targeted vaccine can only be developed once a pandemic starts and the virus is identified.
- May take 4-6 months to produce.
Protect yourself?
- Cover your mouth and nose when you cough. (Use a tissue and throw it away when finished.)
- Wash your hands often, using soap and warm water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Avoid close contact with those that are sick.
- Clean surfaces that are touched often such as phones, computer keyboards, water faucets, and door and refrigerator handles.
- If appropriate, get the pneumococcal (“pneumonia”) vaccine.
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