| Avian Influenza a.k.a. the Bird Flu |
Recently the media has been talking extensively about the Avian (Bird) flu situation taking
place overseas. Here are some facts from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC):
What is the Bird flu? Bird flu is an infection caused by the avian influenza virus. Flu
viruses occur naturally among birds but rarely do the birds get sick from them. Bird flu,
however, is very contagious among birds and can make them very ill or kill them.
Do bird flu viruses infect humans? Bird flu viruses do not normally infect humans, but
several cases of human infections with bird flu have occurred since 1997.
What are the symptoms of bird flu? Symptoms of the bird flu range from typical flu like
symptoms to more serious eye infections, pneumonia, severe respiratory diseases, as well as
other severe, life threatening complications.
Is there a vaccine against the bird flu? Currently there are no vaccines for the bird flu.
Pharmaceutical companies are working hard to develop such vaccines. This years influenza
vaccine does not include protection against bird flu. However, it will help protect against
current strains of influenza, thus helping to keep individuals healthier in the event of an
outbreak of bird flu.
What can I do to reduce my chances of exposure? Like any other disease, certain
precautions can reduce your chances catching them. Proper hand washing is the greatest
weapon in fighting off germs. Wash your hands using the following procedure:
1. Wet hands with warm water.
2. Apply a generous amount of soap and lather hands well.
3. Rub hands together for 20 seconds, paying special attention to the areas between fingers
and under nails.
4. Rinse hands thoroughly with warm water.
5. Dry hands with a disposable towel
6. Use the disposable towel to turn off the faucet and open the door.
place overseas. Here are some facts from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC):
What is the Bird flu? Bird flu is an infection caused by the avian influenza virus. Flu
viruses occur naturally among birds but rarely do the birds get sick from them. Bird flu,
however, is very contagious among birds and can make them very ill or kill them.
Do bird flu viruses infect humans? Bird flu viruses do not normally infect humans, but
several cases of human infections with bird flu have occurred since 1997.
What are the symptoms of bird flu? Symptoms of the bird flu range from typical flu like
symptoms to more serious eye infections, pneumonia, severe respiratory diseases, as well as
other severe, life threatening complications.
Is there a vaccine against the bird flu? Currently there are no vaccines for the bird flu.
Pharmaceutical companies are working hard to develop such vaccines. This years influenza
vaccine does not include protection against bird flu. However, it will help protect against
current strains of influenza, thus helping to keep individuals healthier in the event of an
outbreak of bird flu.
What can I do to reduce my chances of exposure? Like any other disease, certain
precautions can reduce your chances catching them. Proper hand washing is the greatest
weapon in fighting off germs. Wash your hands using the following procedure:
1. Wet hands with warm water.
2. Apply a generous amount of soap and lather hands well.
3. Rub hands together for 20 seconds, paying special attention to the areas between fingers
and under nails.
4. Rinse hands thoroughly with warm water.
5. Dry hands with a disposable towel
6. Use the disposable towel to turn off the faucet and open the door.
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