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Bird Flu FAQ:
Bird Flu PLANS, COSTS and WHAT YOU CAN DO. (Part 4)
Here is an overview at
some of the global plans from the perspective of the World Health Organization
(WHO) and others plus costs and practical action you can take.
For a more in-depth look at the details, check our Family Planning and Pandemic
Flu sections.
Here are some summary Questions and Answers regarding Bird Flu to help clear up confusion:
What is the world doing to
protect me?
What is all this going to cost me?
What should I do about
this pandemic threat?
WHAT IS THE WORLD DOING TO PROTECT ME?
In August 2005, the World Health Organization (WHO) sent all countries a
document outlining recommended strategic actions for responding to the avian
influenza pandemic threat.
The world conference in Tokyo in January 2006 suggested that billions of dollars
are needed over the next three years to help poor countries shore up their
defenses, including 35 million needed over the following six months. WHO
regional Director Shigeru Omi said, "Vaccination alone will not work. Anti-viral drugs will not. Containment alone will not work. I think we have to
make use of all the possible options, starting from the public awareness and
increasing surveillance and quick response, which includes culling operations
[and] poultry vaccination in selected areas."
The World Bank said it would allocate $500 million for pandemic preparedness.
WHAT IS THIS ALL GOING TO COST ME?
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A global pandemic, mild or severe, would cost hundreds of billions of dollars
because of the disruption to economic life. The World Bank estimates a bill of
550 billion dollars (465 billion euros) for rich countries alone. The Asian
Development Bank (ADB) estimates costs for Asia ranging from 99 to 283 billion
dollars. As a comparison, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which killed
fewer than 800 people in its 2003 outbreak, cost more than 30 billion dollars.
SO WHAT SHOULD I DO ABOUT THIS PANDEMIC THREAT?
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First, keep in mind that currently there is no pandemic. There is no need to
panic.
You can be prepared to follow public health recommendations when a pandemic does appear. Be prepared to curtail travel and follow quarantine rules.
It is going to be important that people stay home from work and school when they feel sick. It will be important to follow proper "respiratory hygiene" - covering your coughs and sneezes, washing your hands often, etc.
Start getting into those habits now and we can all be healthier right now as well as better prepared for pandemic flu, public health experts say.
Sources: WHO, Center for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC),
World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), Nature,
British Medical Journal (BMJ), The Lancet, EU Department of Health, news reports,
World Bank Economic Impacts of Avian Influenza Propagation.
Next: » Preventing Bird Flu - Tips and Helps
All Articles in this series:
» 1) Bird Flu and me - facts, risks, can I get it and can I stop it?
» 2) Basics on Bird Flu - What it is, history, what is a pandemic?
» 3) How is human influenza A (H5N1) and Pneumonia treated?
» 4) Pets and Animals - Can my dog or cat get H5N1, symptoms?
» 5) Summary - what are the plans, costs and what can I do?
» 6) Preventing viral infection spread - important tips.
» 7) Definitions for H5N1, avian or bird influenza.
Video Presentation:
(A YouTube video) (2:15 min)
Channel
13 Pandemic Flu clip talks planning with Xerox and the Monroe County Health
Authorities. (Opens in a new window on the
YouTube site.)