Avian Flu is in Iraq, has anyone heard  what the US Gov is going to do to protect us against it spreading here
91436
Our service is not involved with raising chickens or poultry, so they will be fine.  So far, the avian flu is only contracted from direct contact with infected/sick birds.  It has not mutated to a form that is direct human to human transmission.
238804
It is my understanding that several US government agencies will be involved in handling the bird flu virus, contingent on how widespread it ultimately becomes. I don't believe FEMA is one of them. The most obvious choice is the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta. In any event, under the present administration, I wouldn't trust FEMA to handle the common cold.
593378
I assume you're referring to the bird flu that's currently spreading through western europe. It's important that you remember that very few birds can carry the disease; however, one of the ways that the disease spreads to humans is by contact with the feathers. The most likely ways of a human contracting the virus, though, are constant contact with the faeces of birds, as well as regular contact with their beaks. Of course, since birds preen their feathers using their beaks, it is possible that the virus could survive for a short time on the feathers, and so could be passed onto humans. If you're in any doubt as to whether you may have contracted the disease, you should go to a doctor immediately. Bird flu usually manifests itself first in the form of a minor eye infection, but can spread through the body quickly depending on the strain.\n\nIn the UK, the deadly H5N1 strain has only been confirmed to date in a single dead swan, and there are no confirmed cases of it being passed on to humans in the UK.\n\nBreeds of birds you should be especially careful with are swans, geese and ducks, as they are particularly susceptible to it and may carry it for several weeks without showing any symptoms whatsoever. Also, as they are migratory birds the risk of them carrying it from another country are greatly increased.\n\nAll that said, I wouldn't be too concerned about it; as long as you're careful and you're not in regular physical contact with birds you should be alright.\n\nAlex
504518
This flue is not normal in humans, so thast why government is worried about it. Y?? it doesnt cause only fever, it kills. Actually there is no cure for this desease, only treatment for the consecuences and thats y people is  dying. Cause it affects lungs (blood in lungs), so people stop breathing. And u know most of the people int he world r poor so they wont be able to get this treatment and will die.\nAlso this virus could mutate, and people will get it by being close of an infected person. Cause now u get it ionly if u eat chicken meat. So thats y they r worried, cause they dont have medication, and it would be a pendemia soon if they dont find solutions.
672453
yeah, call the city or animal control and they should send someone out to take care of it.\ni would say take care of it yourself, but everyone's all hyped up about bird flu--so just be safe...definitely don't just let it rot out on your lawn.
619059
As of yesterday,Oprah did a special interview with a man from the CDC. \n\nHe readily admitted that we can only be prepared. There is only so much of Tamaflu to go around right now. He stated that it would first be given to healthcare workers so they would not be bringing it home to their families and also because we need heathcare workers in a crisis such as this could present.\n\nHe stated also that even if it isn't the bird flu...that something like the 1918 pandemic will happen sooner or later. It was interesting that he said that bodies were exhumed in Alaska from people who died from the flu of 1918. From the bodies remains they were able to (can't think of the word)  basically create the 1918 virus in a test tube. From this they were able to determine how it spread,and came to the conclusion that it passed from birds directly to people without any type of warning.\n\nPersonally I don't think we are prepared enough should a pandemic occur. But that is what having faith is for. You can't live each day of your life in fear. Life goes on. All we can do is be well informed and do our best to prevent the spread of the illness should something like this ever happen.
309598
I think they would have to. That pic is probably the CDC not taking any chances, but if someone showed up with it, they couldn't keep doctors and hospitals quiet. I hate to say it, but the US has enough on its plate now not having to deal with Bird Flu.
557647
Because he wants to be seen as being ahead of the curve.  The CDC is Ginning up the horror mill again ( remember how SARS was going to KIll us all) H5N1 is a normal virus with a mortality rate of less than 1 percent. Way less, The regions of the country where there have been deaths, attributable to H5N1 or not ( it is inconclusive as to whether or not these individuals died of contact with this virus or another pathogen) have been reported as less than 100 people. And that is in regions where people sleep with their chickens. And incidental also home to 1/6 the worlds population so the actual Recordable mortality rate is some where around 100:1000000000. Yeah you counted it right 100 in a billion that you will die of this disease.  But hey Make Politics while the sun shines right?
446813
I know this wasn't really your question, but don't get too panicked about this.  There are other, more immediate threats to your health that you should worry about more than if they bird flue mutates.  You're more likely, at least in the immediate future to be run over by a car, for instance, so look both ways before you cross the street!\n\nIf you feel the need to stockpile food, this might be helpful for you psychologically.  Know, however, that they are working on a vaccination that may come in time.
528508
Okay, take a deep breath. You are correct. The bird flu may or may not mutate, there may or may not be a pandemic, but all families need to be prepared for emergency situations. You need to discuss Disaster Preparedness with your parents again. Your concern is legitimate, but becoming hysterical will not help your cause nor solve the problem. For starters, your family needs to have a three month supply of water, toiletries, food, and regular medications for every member of your household. You can telephone the local office of the American Red Cross, ask for Disaster Services, and they will mail you a list of information on how to prepare and what to buy. I hope we never have to face this situation, but we need to protect our families for any emergency. Good luck !
536157
The news media will do anything to raise ratings. Including over-hyping every single thing to scare people into watching. \n\nRelax, this whole bird-flu thing will blow over soon enough.
427919
I agree with the above post in that if any research is being done, then it's still in the works, so it hasn't been announced yet. And genetically altering things, especially something as complicated as poultry, is a lot harder than most people seem to think. I would seriously doubt that anyone is working on genetically altering an entire species just to raise resistance to this strain of avian influenza. Any mutation in the flu and the genetic alterations would probably end up useless.
151139
It is called the foot and mouth diseae which attackes cattle like pigs, cows, goats and so on. Looks like livestocks, including chickens that spread the bird flu are not to be taken for the time being. If you worry, take fish only or opt to be a vegeterian instead.Meantime, protection yourself by taking lots fruits becos they contain Vit.C and eating raw garlic or pills form of it.
102892
at this point, I am very concerned since only insects outnumber the birds in the world and they are airborn. The mutation could occur at any moment and infect humans. This is how the flu of 1917 or so occured and spread rapidly
142970
No, I don't think so.  My understanding is you would have to be living in very close surroundings with poultry that have the virus, or in close contact with live birds.\n\nHowever, I guess we'll be discovering new stuff about bird flu for years to come.
81722
Bird flu is spread by migratory birds and traveling people.
273137
It's definitely a threat, but there are some misconceptions.  You can't get it by eating birds, in the same way you can't get another kind of influenza in humans by eating humans.  It's not equatable to mad cow disease, as I've heard has been claimed.  You can, however, get it if you breathe contaminated air.  If you've got birds, then either eat them or rid yourself of them.  If you're on the east coast of either of the American continents, or in the middle, then you should be relatively safer, at least for a longer period of time.  There have been cases in southeast Asia, where it was first found, and it has migrated as far as Greece and Romania and there was a small scare in Warsaw a few weeks ago but that's all that's been in the news.  So yes, worry, but it's not likely to turn into another Black Plague.  Knock on wood.