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In the Case of a Bird Flu Virus Outbreak |
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Friday, 08 June 2007 |
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Although here in North America we are not too concerned about the bird flu virus, there are many areas where bird flu virus outbreaks have been reported. Many people have lived their entire lives taking steps to special measures to avoid contracting the bird flu virus. Daily practices and routines help individuals limit their risk of contracting the bird flu virus. What sort of measures should be taken in the case of a bird flu virus outbreak?
First of all people should avoid at all costs, direct contact with wild or domestic birds whether they are alive or dead. During a bird flu virus outbreak, it’s imperative to refrain from sacrificing wild or domestic birds. Poultry work such as working on a poultry farm or butchering poultry should be avoided in an area where there’s a bird flu virus outbreak. Any job or activity where human to bird contact might be made should definitely be avoided. It’s not only direct contact with infected birds that poses a risk but also handling anything that may have been soiled by infected birds. This might include refraining from using birds feces as a fertilizer or for any other reason. Eliminate the use of water that may be in contact with bird feces or respiratory fluids that may be contaminated by bird flu virus. Anything that has possibly been contaminated by infected birds should be avoided. Beside the actual contact with infected birds or handling contaminated items, in areas where a bird flu virus is detected, people should definitely be careful about what they eat, especially raw poultry meat and eggs. This could certainly be an invitation for the bird flu virus. People should be careful not to get too close to patients with the bird flu virus. In a medical setting this may be difficult but taking precautions will make the difference. In a laboratory setting, investigating and/or testing samples of bird flu virus can be very risky. |
