| In the United States, talk about avian influenza | | | | outbreaks occurred again in September. The |
| and the public listens, but elsewhere in the world, | | | | latest victim was a woman who developed |
| it is unclear if the public has been properly advised | | | | symptoms after slaughtering and removing the |
| or if they are taking the advisements seriously. | | | | feathers from a dozen ducks that showed signs |
| While some people may think that the fears are | | | | of the illness. Two cases are believed to have |
| exaggerated, it is doubtful that the World Health | | | | been caused by drinking uncooked duck blood. |
| Organization is trying to create panic. More likely | | | | What all of this means is that prevention of the |
| they are concerned that some countries will not | | | | avian influenza in humans revolves primarily |
| take precautions necessary for the prevention of | | | | around safe handling of poultry. Handling sick or |
| the avian influenza H5N1 virus in large numbers of | | | | dying birds, without proper precautions causes |
| people. | | | | avian influenza and the public in affected countries |
| According to figures compiled by the World Health | | | | needs to be aware. |
| Organization, the H5N1 avian influenza virus has | | | | Currently in the United States, the H5N1 strain has |
| now infected a total of 253 people in 10 different | | | | not appeared, but it probably will, because |
| countries, resulting in 148 deaths. Thus far in | | | | migrating birds from Asia intermingle with the |
| 2006, the highest numbers of human cases have | | | | migrating birds of North and South America on a |
| been in Indonesia, with 50, Egypt, with 15, China | | | | yearly basis. However, the majority of the poultry |
| and Turkey, with 12 each. In Indonesia, 40 have | | | | in the United States are raised indoors, where |
| died and the World Health Organization (WHO) | | | | they are not allowed to intermingle with wild birds, |
| believes that sporadic human cases will continue | | | | so the chance of large flocks of poultry becoming |
| to occur, unless the "situation is urgently and | | | | infected are very low. Additionally, people who |
| comprehensively addressed." The WHO and the | | | | tend to and handle the poultry are required to |
| Ministry of Health in Thailand believe that education | | | | wear gloves, masks and other protective clothing, |
| about the threat of avian influenza and public | | | | so as to prevent infection of the birds and |
| awareness of it is the best way to prevent more | | | | prevent being infected by the birds. Prevention of |
| deaths. Prevention of the avian influenza virus in | | | | the avian influenza outbreaks in the United States |
| humans, as it now exists, can be accomplished if | | | | may involve the destruction of some free |
| certain risky behaviors are avoided. | | | | ranging, outdoor or backyard flocks, but hopefully |
| For example, in Indonesia, where a 15 year old | | | | this will prevent infections in humans. The Center |
| boy died in June, sick and dying birds were | | | | for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as the |
| allowed to live inside the household. In Egypt, | | | | World Health Organization work to provide |
| where 15 cases have occurred thus far in 2006, | | | | frequent reports about avian influenza and the |
| with the first reported in May and the latest in | | | | public can access these reports at their websites. |
| September, and there have been 6 deaths from | | | | For more information about avian influenza and |
| the illness, outbreaks were first noted in backyard | | | | how to protect yourself and your family, visit the |
| flocks in March. Thought to be under control, | | | | Immune System Booster Guide. |