How to Prepare for and Survive a Bird Flu Pandemic
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How to Prepare for
and Survive
a Bird Flu Pandemic
August 2013How To Survive A Bird Flu Pandemic
While the USGOV and world health community are working on a vaccine for H7N9 vaccine, don't
count on it being available. In June of 2013, Dr. Margaret Chan, Director of the World Health
Organization, stated the following:
"This is a puzzling virus surrounded by mysteries. Most viruses of the H7
subtype cause very severe disease in poultry, but only mild disease in
humans. H7N9 does the opposite. At present, infected birds show no
symptoms and appear perfectly healthy. And this, ladies and gentleman,
hides the source of the infection."
It is important to understand that a standard seasonal flu vaccine will NOT work against avian
influenza. Each virus strain requires a new vaccine. New vaccines can take many months or even
years to produce, depending on what is known about the specific strain. Once a vaccine is
developed, it can also take a considerable amount of time to be produced en mass. Then there is
the challenge of broad distribution and the actual vaccination process.
It is imperative that you stay well informed. If an influenza pandemic begins to flare up, you will
want to find out at the soonest opportunity so as to begin to assess your risk factors (travel plans,
kids in school, etc...) and take appropriate measures for yourself and family. No doubt the World
Health Organization (WHO), the CDC, and other governmental and non-governmental
organizations will be providing information on the spread of the disease, availability of vaccines
and other medications and travel advisories. You can find a list of excellent information sources
later in this document.
Get your yearly flu vaccine shot. While this will NOT protect you from bird flu, it can help you stay
healthy and free from the seasonal flu and can contribute to maximizing the overall strength of
your immune system.
Get a pneumonia vaccine shot. Avian influenza (H7N9, H5N1, etc…) has a nasty habit of
resulting in extremely severe pneumonia. Many victims die with lungs filled with fluid. This is
particularly important for individuals 65 and older as well as those with chronic respiratory
illnesses such as asthma, emphysema, severe allergies, etc...
According to the CDC, the antiviral drug Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) and a related drug, Relenza
(Zanamivir) been shown to be effective in treating H5N1 and H7N7 influenza if the strains are not
mutated, though they are NOT effective in treating H7N9. Still, the CDC recommends their use.
As such, it may be possible to acquire a prescription, in advance, from your physician so you
have your bases covered. Attempting to get a prescription early is important as every year there
are shortages, particularly towards the middle to the end of flu season. Why take a chance? It will
cost you little to nothing. Speak to your doctor about your preparedness effort and make the
direct request. This is particularly important if you have children. Make sure to ask for a
prescription for the child formulation.
Become a hand washing fanatic. This is a powerful defense against avian influenza and many
other infectious diseases. In the event of a pandemic situation, you should wash your hands
several times a day with a good antimicrobial scrub. Additionally, it would be wise to carry an
alcohol-based disinfectant, though the should not be a substitute for thoroughly washing your
hands regularly under running water.
Avoid contact with wild birds. Keep your dogs and cats away from them as well. If you work on a
farm or in a poultry-processing facility, you would be wise to take precautions such as wearing
disposable gloves and an N95 or P100 filtration mask. H7N9 has been proven to be transmissible
by physical contact with infected poultry and poultry products as well as via air. In terms of
cooking, poultry should always be cooked thoroughly to 165 degrees F. Proper cooking kills the
avian influenza virus. Poultry products such as eggs should be cook thoroughly.
BirdFlu211.com 2How To Survive A Bird Flu Pandemic
In the event of a pandemic, you would be wise to exercise social distancing. This might seem like
a no-brainer but the most effective way to prevent becoming infected with avian influenza of any
kind is to avoid exposure to others who are infected. As an infected individual is already
contagious by the time symptoms appear, it is important that you stay informed.
During the buildup in the number of cases of infection, you are strongly advised to intentionally
begin avoiding contact with others when possible, and in particular, large groups of people. This
includes staying home from work and other activities requiring you to be in the presence of
others. Remember, an infected, contagious individual will not immediately show symptoms so the
ability to determine if contact is safe, based on visual indicators, is risky.
The same goes for your children. Given the alternative, if potential for a pandemic is growing (you
will know if you are staying informed), keep your children home from school. All parents know that
infections of all types easily circulate within schools.
Other situations to avoid during a pandemic include use of public transportation, plane travel or
any other situation where large numbers of people are in a confined space, breathing the same
air and touching common surfaces.
The same holds true for public events, even if outdoors. During a pandemic, it is highly likely that
such events would be cancelled by the government anyhow. Even if not, the risk is not worth
whatever perceived benefit you might gain by attending.
Protect your breath. Wear a respirator / mask. The influenza virus is capable of airborne
transmission. As such, it is important to protect yourself from inhaling the virus, particularly when
in the presence of others. To this end, use only respirators labeled as "NIOSH certified," "N95" or
"N100," as these help protect against inhalation of very small particles. Follow the directions and
make sure the masks are worn properly to eliminate entry of unfiltered air between the mask and
the sides of the face. Inexpensive sources are provided below.
Protect your hands. Wear medical grade disposable examination gloves. This will protect you
from infection by manual contact with an infected individual or surface. These gloves are cheap
enough that you should never have to reuse a pair. Wash your hands after removal. Inexpensive
sources are provided below.
Protect your eyes. There are ample scientific studies showing that the influenza virus can be
contracted by getting aerosolized particles and droplets in one’s eyes. Glasses are not sufficient
protection. A pair of inexpensive chemistry lab goggles provides ample protection. Inexpensive
sources are provided below.
Be careful to dispose of any potentially contaminated materials properly. Gloves, masks or filters,
tissues, etc... should be carefully handled and disposed of properly. Prepare a special container
for such items and once sealed, dispose of outside your living environment frequently. Consider
them a potential biohazard.
Prepare for disruption of basic services. If a pandemic strikes, logic would dictate that there is
high potential for loss of different services such as power, phones, internet access, garbage
pickup, and more. If the service relies upon a human being for upkeep or operation, it is subject to
problems during a pandemic due to widespread employee absenteeism or death toll. This
concept can also be extended to other areas we take for granted including gas stations, grocery
stores, pharmacies, hospitals and more. This is why it is essential to be prepared PRIOR to a
pandemic taking hold.
Additional preparedness steps you should realistically already have completed for other
emergency situations:
BirdFlu211.com 3How To Survive A Bird Flu Pandemic
Stock up on essential medications (insulin, BP meds, etc...).
Stock up on necessities such as food and water. Prepare at least a two week supply.
The focus should be on nonperishable foods and meals that do not require cooking.
Plan for the possibility that banks will be closed or ATMs empty or out of service. As
such, it is wise to keep a supply of cash on hand.
Discuss emergency preparations with your family. Make a plan so that children will
know what to do and where to go if you are incapacitated or killed, or if family members
cannot communicate with each other. These are drastic measures, but unfortunately
necessary.
If you think you or a member of your family is becoming ill in a pandemic situation, it is important
that you NOT IMMEDIATELY RUSH TO THE HOSPITAL. The simple reality is that you will likely
encounter desperate throngs of other sick people doing the exact same things. The chances are
also very good that hospitals and other medical facilities will already be overwhelmed.
The Centers for Disease Control and the American Association of Poison Control Centers are
already establishing a "National Nurse Triage Line" using the 211 phone number for a Severe
Influenza Pandemic. The 211 line will be used in managing ill persons with influenza-like illness
during a severe pandemic and to electronically or telephonically transfer authorized prescriptions
to local pharmacies. Attempt to call the hospital emergency room and the 211 line BEFORE
setting out to find medical attention.
For any clear thinking adult, this reason alone should be motivation to follow the
preparedness guidance in this document BEFORE a pandemic scenario is upon us. If the
government is currently spending billions of dollars and dedicating other resources to
preparing for a possible pandemic, this should be your signal to make some preparations
of your own.
The lives of yourself and family could hang in the balance.
CONTINUE TO THE NEXT
PAGE FOR RESOURCES
BirdFlu211.com 4How To Survive A Bird Flu Pandemic
Chlorhexidine Gluconate Medical Grade Skin Cleanser
In principle, influenza viruses can be transmitted by 3 routes: aerosols,
large droplets, and direct contact with infected surfaces or secretions.
One of the best risk mitigation steps you can take is to acquire a medical
grade skin cleanser, as well as surface cleanser. Of these, a gold
standard in hospitals and other clinical settings is Chlorhexidine
Gluconate, which is sold under the product name HIBICLENS.
The product is intended for use as a surgical scrub, a personnel hand
wash, a pre-operative skin preparation and a skin wound cleanser. The
antimicrobial cleaner bonds to the skin to create a persistent
antimicrobial effect and protective germ-killing field against a wide range
of microorganisms.
NIOSH-Approved N95 Particulate Mask / Respirators
An ESSENTIAL risk countermeasure for reducing the spread of
infection, not only for caregivers, but also for the sick, is to acquire a
supply of particle masks. The N95 respirator is the most common
particulate filtering facepiece respirator.
This product filters at least 95% of airborne particles but is NOT resistant
to oil. These are (currently) inexpensive and an critical element to one's
preparedness supplies. There are an abundance of scholarly studies
demonstrating the effectiveness of N95 filters in reducing the spread of
influenza viruses.
NIOSH-Approved P100 Particulate Mask / Respirators
Similar to the N95, P100 rated filters provide 99.97% filter efficiency
against oil and non-oil, certain dusts, fumes, mists and radionuclides.
P100 masks are well suited for those who want NIOSHs highest rated
filtration efficiency. Here again, these masks are (currently) inexpensive
and an critical element to one's preparedness supplies.
Lab Safety Goggles - Various Styles Available
Transocular (through the eye) transmission of influenza viruses is a well
researched and documented means of infection. All it takes is a cough
or sneeze.... Consider eye protection another essential mitigation
measure. These inexpensive goggles are used worldwide by health
authorities and should be part of your preparedness supplies. The style
or design is irrelevant. Shielding the eyes from the free movement of air
is the primary consideration.
BirdFlu211.com 5How To Survive A Bird Flu Pandemic
Gloves – Single-Use Latex Examination Gloves
As influenza viruses can easily be spread via your hands, surgical
gloves in an infectious influenza environment are a no-brainer.
Additionally, the length of time that germs can survive on latex gloves
varies and is dependent on a number of factors such as humidity level,
temperature, type of surface and germs. The only logical solution is
disposable gloves. Those offered via this link are inexpensive and can,
in and of themselves, be a lifesaver.
Reusable Full-Faced Respirator Masks
These masks provide the ultimate in protection. Can be used with either
N95 or P100 filters. The most important feature of such masks is the
near complete isolation of the eyes, nose and mouth. Eyes are protected
from airborne particles and everything you breath is run through the
disposable filters.
While this type of mask could be viewed as extreme, ask yourself the
following question: If a member of your family becomes ill in a pandemic
situation involving a deadly pathogen such as H7N9, are you confident
enough to engage in their care without maximum protection for yourself?
DuPont Tyvek Coveralls - Multiple Sizes and Styles
DuPont Tyvek coveralls are made of flash-spun, high-density
polyethylene which creates a unique, nonwoven material that can’t be
abraded or worn away. The coveralls provide light-weight inherent
barrier protection against hazardous dry particles and aerosols. If there
is a possibility of working directly with sick individuals during a pandemic
influenza type of situation, these inexpensive coveralls would be an
excellent addition to your preps.
HEPA Air Filters - Multiple Sizes and Styles
High-efficiency particulate air, or HEPA, is a type of air filter. To qualify
as HEPA by USGOV standards, an air filter must remove (from the air
that passes through) 99.97% of particles that have a size of 0.3
micrometres. HEPA filters are critical in the prevention of the spread of
airborne bacterial and viral organisms and, therefore, infection. Typically,
medical-use HEPA filtration systems also incorporate ultra-violet lights to
kill off the live bacteria and viruses trapped by the filter media. Some of
the best-rated HEPA units have an efficiency rating of 99.995%, which
assures a very high level of protection against airborne disease
transmission.
BirdFlu211.com 6How To Survive A Bird Flu Pandemic
RECOMMENDED INFORMATION RESOURCES
AlertsUSA – Instant alerts regarding pandemics and other threats direct to your mobile device
http://www.AlertsUSA.com
Threat Journal – Weekly publication covering all severe threats. Regular H7N9 updates.
http://www.ThreatJournal.com
CDC Seasonal Flu Page
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm
CDC H7N9 Page
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/h7n9-virus.htm
CDC H7N9 FAQ
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/h7n9-faq.htm
Flu.Gov
http://www.Flu.gov
FDA Influenza (Flu) Antiviral Drugs and Related Information
http://www.fda.gov/drugs/drugsafety/informationbydrugclass/ucm100228.htm
FDA Drug Shortages Information
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/DrugShortages/default.htm
Interim Guidance on the Use of Antiviral Agents for Treatment
of Human Infections with Avian Influenza A (H7N9)
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avianflu/h7n9-antiviral-treatment.htm
World Health Org FAQ on Human Infection Caused by the Avian Influenza A(H7N9) Virus
http://www.who.int/influenza/human_animal_interface/faq_H7N9/en/
The New England Journal of Medicine H7N9 Page
http://www.nejm.org/page/influenza
CIDRAP - Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy H7N9 Page
http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/infectious-disease-topics/h7n9-avian-influenza
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