With our advanced medical technology and flu immunizations we are provided with each year, the flu is not an issue that is on the average American's radar screen. However the Avian Flu, or Bird Flu, has been receiving more and more attention. Experts say it is not a matter of
if, but
when. This strand of the flu is not one that we need to be fearful of just yet, but we do need to be prepared. There have currently been 270 people affected and 164 killed from this virus. Many of these cases are confined to Asia, and so far it has not been a threat at all in the U.S. As of now, the bird flu is not easiley transmittable from person to person but primarily bird to bird, or bird to person. However, as this strand of the flu develops it will eventually be able to transfer person to person, which is what we need to be prepared for. Once this flu strand is mutated to the point that it can spread among the human population, it is expected to spread very rapidly and be very dangerous. However, it's comforting to know that U.S. health officials are already creating a plan to fight against this expected pandemic. You can read more about the bird flu and what the plan is at
www.pandemicflu.gov.
Labels: Health and Fitness