The Department of Health and Human Services reported that very little precautionary measures can be taken to actually prevent the spread of the illness (bird flu) . The infection in humans is actually caused by the H5N1 strain of the avian influenza.
Hence to prevent the global pandemic it has issued various guidelines which will reduce the chances of an occurrence of a global pandemic. The government says that as such there is no vaccine or drug that could prevent the disease from spreading among humans. But the government assured that if proper steps such as stocking up of supplies and maintaining hygiene among children would prevent the spread of avian flu.The World Health Organization reports that so far the H5N1 strain has affected only the birds except for the three deaths in Turkey. It has infected 6 different countries and on the whole affected 142 people with 74 deaths since 2003.
Now experts fear that this strain might develop the ability to mutate and cause wide spread infection among men. This would result in a pandemic and kill millions of people. If this happened in US then he results would be very devastating as it would cause 2 million deaths, closure of schools for months together and disrupt industry and commerce.
The only alternative to prevent a pandemic would be to avoid close contact with people, educate children about cleanliness, advice them to frequently wash their hands, to use tissue while coughing and sneezing and to stay indoors.
Hence it is necessary that such a situation arises one should be prepared to face it and have all the extra supplies including canned foods, medical necessities and emergency requirements ready.
