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Bird Flu
Frequently asked questions:
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Information you should know about the Bird Flu in the UK
Bird Flu - what is it?
The flu is a very infectious illness caused by a virus. It is much more serious than a common cold and can leave you ill for up to 10 days. There are many types of flu virus, some of which infect birds. These are called Bird Flu viruses.
Occaisionally, Bird Flu can also infect people. The current Bird Flu virus has infected some people who have caught it from having contact with infected birds.
Bird Flu causes severe flu-like symptoms in people and can result in death. It has not been shown for certain yet that anyone has caught Bird Flu from another person.
At the moment there are no available vaccines to protect people against the Bird Flu.
Several countries in Asia and SE Europe are experiencing outbreaks of Bird flu, affecting mainly poultry (chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys).
The virus responsible for this outbreak is H5N1 - a type of Bird flu not normally associated with human disease.
What is a flu pandemic?
A flu pandemic occurs when a new strain of flu emerges, spreading around the world infecting many people in a very short time.
A flu virus capable of causing a pandemic is one that people have no natural immunity to and can easily spread from person to person. A Bird Flu pandemic could cause many deaths and could take place at any time. It could happen at any time of the year, not only in winter.
What can be done to prevent getting the flu?
Most importantly, ask your doctor every year to vaccinate you against the flu. The influenza virus changes frequently, you need to get vaccinated every year to stay immune.
Some people can get vaccinated at no cost and generally. vaccination is free for people age 65 years and over, and adults and children with certain long-term and chronic conditions. Ask your Doctor if you are eligible to be vaccinated at no cost.
Flu is spread very easily through coughs and sneezes. If you have the flu, you should avoid public places as well as close contact with other people. Always cough and sneeze into a paper tissue and then dispose of it. Put the tissue in a rubbish bin and wash your hands well afterwards.
The Bird Flu - what are the symptoms?
The exact symptoms, incubation period and duration of Bird Flu in people are relatively unknown simply because there have not been enough cases.
The symptoms are generally similar to those for people infected with a normal human flu virus. However the severity of the illness may differ. Symptoms generally appear 3 to 7 days after exposure and can last up to a week.
Symptoms of the fluenxa can include: a high fever, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, a cough and sore throat, and a runny nose. Generally it can take up to 3 days to feel symptoms after you catch the flu. This is known as the Incubation Period.
Anyone can get the flu. Simply being fit, active and healthy does not protect you from getting this virus however it can improve your rate of recovery.
Anyone can die from the flu - and this is why the possibility of an Bird Flu pandemic should be taken particularly seriously.
Can humans catch the Bird Flu?
Yes, occaisionally the Bird Flu virus can infect people. The current Bird Flu virus has infected some people who have caught it from having contact with infected birds.
As far back as December in 2003, outbreaks of the H5N1 Bird Flu in birds in Asian countries have been linked to with human infection and deaths - primarily in Asia.
Why are health authorities concerned about Bird Flu?
The World Health Organization (WHO) is particularly concerned that the H5N1 Bird Flu virus and a human influenza infection could mix and develop. This might result in a new strain of flu virus that can be easily passed from person to person. In such a situation this new flu virus could spread rapidly around the world, infecting many people. This would be an flu pandemic.
A Bird Flu pandemic might easilycause many deaths and could take place at any time - and it might not necessarily be a winter illness.
A Bird Flu pandemic - how likely is it?
It is highly probable that a Bird Flu pandemic will happen at some time. The H5N1 Bird Flu virus that is currently found in some countries could become a pandemic flu virus at any time.
Flu Pandemics - how often do they occur?
There were 3 flu pandemics the last hundred years. These took places in 1918, 1956 and 1968. What gives greater cause for concern now is that accessibility to international travel has greatly increased and therefore greatly increases the risk of an outbreak spreading.
The last Flu Pandemics - what caused them?
The 3 pandemics in the last century were all caused by varying types of an Bird Flu virus.
What is being done to prepare for a Bird Flu pandemic?
Many countries have been planning for this for some time. Many national health organisations have a national pandemic plan, and local health authorities have localised plans.
Following the advice of the WHO, an increasing number of countries are now beginning to stockpile anti-viral medicines to help reduce the impact of any future pandemic.
Does a vaccine exist for the H5N1 Bird Flu virus?
No! There is currently no vaccine against the H5N1 Bird Flu virus although work is being done to try and develop one. Many health organisations are endeavouring to ensure that access is gained as quickly as possible to a vaccine once one becomes available.
From the start of a Bird Flu pandemic it may take up to 6 months for a vaccine to be developed and made available. However it remains an unknown factor whether or not sufficient quantities would be able to manufactured in that time to meet the demand of the general population.
What is expected to happen in a Bird Flu pandemic?
A Bird Flu pandemic would mean so many people are sick that it will affect businesses and the work place, schools, hospitals, shopping centres and many other services. Airports could be closed and international travel restricted. The import of various meat and other products may be stopped. There would be public announcements on TV, the radio and through other media channels that there is an influenza pandemic. It is probable that it would have a significant impact on our day-to-day lifestyle as we currently know it.
Normal health and other services may not be available for several weeks. You may be asked to care for yourself and others at home. It is therefore wise to plan for such an event!
How can I prepare for a Bird Flu pandemic?
- Speak to your family and friends about hygiene issues including hand washing, and covering up the nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing.
- You should ensure that you have an emergency home kit prepared that includes a range of the essential supplies necessary to support a restricted lifestyle. It would also be prudent to store a sufficient stockpile of water to meet your needs for a period of time.
- Put together a home medical kit and include a supply of paracetamol (for fever). Include face masks to minimise the risk of transferring or catching the virus. Attempt to buy or order sufficient quantities of either Tamiflu or Relenza privately however only use specifically in accordance with manufacturers and, or your Doctors instructions.
- Plan for what you would do if you were confined to your home during a pandemic.
How can I care for my family during a Bird Flu pandemic?
- Stay home if you are sick and definately avoid contact with other people unless absolutely necessary.
- Wash your hands in the bathroom after you cough, sneeze or blow your nose. Wash and dry your hands before preparing food and eating, and particularly when you are looking after sick people.
- Cover up when you cough or sneeze preferably using a tissue. Dispose of the tissue immediately afterwards.
- Ensure that those around you who have a fever or diarrhoea are given plenty to drink.
- Take paracetamol to help with fever but DO NOT give aspirin to children under twelve years of age.
- Try to isolate well people apart from those who are unwell.
- Avoid the sharing of bedding, clothes and utensils because this can help to spread infection. It is NOT NECESSARY to wash a sick person's bedclothes, clothing and utensils separately from the rest of the family's.
Anti-Viral Drugs and Medication
Tamiflu - What is it?
Tamiflu or Oseltamivir is used to treat various types of flu in patients who have had symptoms of the flu for 2 days or less. Oseltamivir is in a class of drugs called neuraminidase inhibitors. These drugs work by stopping the growth and spread of the Bird Flu virus in your body. Tamiflu helps shorten the time you have flu symptoms like nasal congestion, cough, sore throat, aches and muscle pain, headache, fever and chills.
Is the anti-viral drug Tamiflu effective against the Bird flu?
Tamiflu is one of 2 medicines that are useful fighting the strains of the Bird flu circulating in birds in Asia. The other drug is called Relenza. Tamiflu and Relenza both appear to be effective in inhibiting growth of the Bird Flu virus in the human body. However they are not a vaccine and therefore they cannot be expected to prevent infection with the virus. A Bird Flu vaccine has not yet been developed.
Will Tamiflu cure people sick with the Bird Flu virus?
It is not known for certain.
When people have seasonal flu, instead of killing the virus, Tamiflu reduces symptoms and may shorten the duration of illness by a day or two.
If people who are reasonably healthy and who are ill with flu take Tamiflu, they are less likely to develop complications of flu. Those complications would usually treated with antibiotics.
Can Tamiflu prevent people from getting the Bird Flu?
Possibly it may, but it is not a vaccine, and it is not the best means of preventing flu. It certainly should not be relied on as you would a vaccine. Vaccination is the best protection against influenza, and that is precisely why people are encouraged to immunise against seasonal flu every year.
Tamiflu - how does it work?
Tamiflu is a medicine that only works against flu viruses A and B.
Tamiflu does not work against other viruses or bacteria that can cause illness similar to influenza or that can cause respiratory infection. If taken within 48 hours of becoming ill it prevents the virus from bursting out of infected cells, infecting new cells - and possibly other people.
Is it okay for Tamiflu to be given to children?
Yes! Tamiflu can be used to treat flu in children of one year and older.
Who will get the Tamiflu that the Government is stockpiling?
When a Bird Flu pandemic takes place, there will be a need to use Tamiflu in the most effective way. While details of exactly how it will be prioritised and used will only be confirmed once the pandemic occurs, it is probable however that Tamiflu will mainly be used for treating people who are sick.
Tamiflu may also be used to isolate an outbreak in a very early stage.
It is expected that Tamiflu will form only part of a Government's overall response strategy to a Bird Flu pandemic.
Will a facemask help protect me from getting the Bird Flu virus?
A surgical mask, if worn by the person who is sick, will help reduce the spread of infection, because it will hold the virus in the coughs and sneezes close to that person.
Similarly those who are not sick and who are very close to the person who is coughing and sneezing may get some protection by covering their own nose and mouth with a facemask because the mask will contain the virus in the cough and sneeze droplets.
More Bird Flu News
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Latest Bird Flu News
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For more information and the latest news on the spread of Bird Flu around the world, see the World Health Organization website
For a list of all affected countries and latest Alerts see the World Organisation for Animal Health website
For other information on the Bird Flu visit the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention
Bird Flu Products and Medications:
Tamiflu is being offered for sale at:
Health Solutions Network
Drug Delivery.ca
Pharma-Supplies.com
Medical Management
Relenza is being offered for sale at:
Drug Delivery.ca
Amantadine an alternative Bird Flu medication is being offered for sale at:
Drug Delivery.ca
Vira 38 a possible Bird Flu medication is being offered for sale at:
PRB Pharmaceuticals
Facemasks can be bought from:
A variety of stores in your area
Home Emergency Kit Products can be purchased from:
A variety of stores in your area
DISCLAIMER - None of the above companies or websites are in any way involved, associated or affiliated with either the owners of this website or any of the sponsors of this website and we are therefore not responsible for the contents of any website referenced from this website or server. Reference on this website to any specific commercial products, processes, service, manufacturer or company does not constitute its endorsement or reccomendation.
Bird Flu and Medication Links:
For More Information about Tamiflu
For More Information about Relenza
For More Information about Amantadine
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