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Air Purifier News
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PurAirFilters.net - Pur Air Fans & Filters
Bird Flu Update -- What You Really Need to Know
The Spanish flu killed 50 million
people in 1918. What's ahead for us? No one really knows but
did you know that the killer flu from almost 90 years ago began
as a bird flu virus and "jumped" to humans?
"If the initial outbreak reaches a major city before doctors
figure out that it is underway, that's a clue that the mutated
virus is easily transmitted from person to person and will spread
quickly," says William Schaffner, MD, chairman of the department
of preventative medicine at Vanderbilt University School of
Medicine in Nashville in the current issue of Bottom Line/Personal
(February 1, 2006).
In November 2005 Bottom Line/Personal ran an article warning
readers about the avian flu pandemic that may be on its way
to North America. The piece generated tremendous response and
a flood of questions. So Bottom Line went back to their experts
to address these concerns.
The potential for an avian flu pandemic is very real, although
no one can say for sure when we may be exposed to it. A pandemic
is defined as a global epidemic and at this point, although
vaccines are in development, there are no vaccines that offer
immunity. Creating a vaccine for this new flu is a slow and
expensive process. The real danger for Americans is not direct
contact with infected birds but the possibility that the virus
will 'jump' from birds to humans. Then it will spread like an
ordinary flu bug, from person to person -- but with far more
dangerous consequences.
How will we know when a pandemic is here? "The early stages
of this pandemic will look like any other outbreak of a pneumonic
respiratory illness. Large numbers of people in one specific
region will come down with flu symptoms, but doctors there won't
initially know that they're dealing with the deadly avian flu.
The flu usually sends only a small percentage of victims to
the hospital -- this one probably will be worse."
Can't this bird flu virus be stopped somehow? "Science
will not be able to prevent this pandemic, but it might be able
to blunt its impact and reduce the death toll."
Would a home air purifier help? "No. Home air purifiers
do not filter out viruses."
So what can I do to prepare myself? "Stay in shape. People
who are overweight or suffer from high blood pressure are at
greater risk should they contract avian flu."
What about a regular flu shot? "This year's shot doesn't
protect you against the avian flu, but it should keep you from
getting the regular flu and thus help you stay fit and healthy."
Is it okay to have a bird feeder in my backyard? "Your
backyard bird feeder will not expose you to the avian flu,"
said Mary C. Pearl, PhD, president of the Wildlife Trust, a
global conservation organization. "Avian flu is carried
mainly by chickens and waterfowl, including ducks and geese,
none of which are typical bird feeder birds."
Is this a bad time to own a pet bird? "Pet birds pose no
danger. The types of birds commonly kept as pets do not seem
to be carriers. Besides, birds that you already have in cages
in your home are unlikely to come in contact with wild birds."
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