Avian Bird Flu: What You Need to Know, Part 2 of 2

Copyright 2006 DK Fynn In Part 1 of this 2-part special, the following topics were discussed: 1. What Is Avian Bird Flu? (definition) 2. How You're At Risk (and the reason for the all the panic) Who's At The Greatest Risk? All things equal, those who are most at risk aren'tthose with weak bodies. In fact, the ones most at risk arepeople with the strongest immune systems. This means thathealthy people with healthy immune systems (ages 20 toabout 40) are most at risk. This is because when infectedwith the virus, the immune system is sent into overdrive. Though healthy people are inherently most at risk, thosewho are travelers (especially to the infected areas Ireferred to in part 1) are most at risk of coming into contact with the virus, especially when it mutates. Thisis obviously due to increased chances of exposure to infected people. From the influenza virus of 1918, pregnant women had adeath rate of 55, so that demographic was the least likelyto survive. With the bird virus having a death rate of 50in humans, the death rate for pregnant women could be muchhigher. How Your Government Will Protect You Don't be so naive! Do you actually think yourgovernment will help you and your loved ones? (When wasthe last time they actually did?) Yes, some governments are "trying" to prepare for apandemic, but let's look at the facts: -The law of probability states that the bird flu willmutate into a virus that spreads among humans, and possiblythrough the air, which is how the common cold is spread. -A virus that mutates is extremely difficult to control. -Vaccines are untested (nothing like this has ever beenattempted before) and in short supply (there's only enoughfor 5 of the world's population, and it's unknown howmedicines will be distributed). -We all know what politicians and corporate bigots arelike: they'll steal the 5 of available medications forthemselves, or make it priced so high that you and I won'thave access to them. -Hospitals, most of which are low on staff andequipment, will be swamped: the sudden increase inpatients will be more than hospitals can handle, and manywill be turned away. -Ask yourself this question: If you were a health careworker, would you "walk into the face of fire" withouthaving been vaccinated from the bird virus that yourpatients have? -Hurricane Katrina is a revealing case: it proves howone of the most powerful governments of the world can'tprepare for a state-wide emergency (bird virus is a world-wide emergency). -With the governments of the world depending on theirfragile economies, with the multi-national Euro, and the USdollar doing worse than ever, chaos may break loose whenthe bird virus mutates and causes markets to crash. -With a 3-5 day incubation period, the time at which thebird virus is most contagious is one day before thesymptoms are seen. By that time, someone you know may havespread the virus to you, and from you, to your family andothers you come into contact with. Obviously, as in most things, there is only one personwho can best protect yourself and your family. It's not"them," and it's not even me (all I can do is point you inthe right direction). You know who this person is. How To Protect Yourself And Your Loved OnesHere are a few guidelines for decreasing your chances of infection: --Obey all of the commonsense hygiene rules, such as washing your hands often. --Get information. The bird flu virus spreads like the cold, but it's much more dangerous, and demands a subject of it's own. --Take action on the information you come across. It's great to know how to protect yourself, but if you don't actually do so, your knowledge itself won't help you. --Share what you know with your loved ones and your friends. Show them what you do to protect yourself. If you're a volunteer at the local community centre, run a workshop on what you've learned about protecting yourself.

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