What to do if Bird Flu Strikes

Right now, the Bird Flu virus, also known as H5N1 and sometimes called avian flu, does not affect humans in any way and can’t spread from person to person. However, if this changes in the future and the virus develops the ability to jump from animals to humans, you’ll want to be prepared so that you can take action immediately. Below are some tips on what you should do and where you should go if there’s an outbreak of Bird Flu in your area.

Stay home

The flu has already been spreading through chickens and wild birds in China, and there’s even a new virus strain that is affecting pigs there. So it seems inevitable that sooner or later it will spread to humans. If you are traveling and get sick, especially with chills, fever or a sore throat, give your doctor a heads up about any recent travel. The CDC recommends that people who have been exposed to someone with confirmed bird flu should stay home for at least 10 days from their last exposure. This gives enough time for symptoms of illness to appear in most people who contract bird flu (if they are going to). Some countries, including China, Thailand and Vietnam have started vaccinating poultry workers against H7N9 virus. This makes sense as those workers come into contact with infected chickens on a regular basis.

Clean & Disinfect the Home

If you’re sick with an infectious disease, stay home for seven days or until you’ve been declared free of infection. And even after that, be sure to practice good hygiene and keep your immune system healthy so that you don’t get reinfected with a different strain of bird flu in 2022. This means washing your hands frequently and avoiding crowds. If your area has a large amount of bird flu cases, avoid crowded places like malls, planes, buses and trains.

Leave town

If a major outbreak happens, it will be easier to leave town than it will be during a localized epidemic. A pandemic is not something that you want to get stuck in; as such, prepare now and leave town when necessary. If you have friends or family outside of your immediate region, consider going there; they’ll provide help in terms of healthcare and supplies should a larger-scale pandemic hit.

Wash Hands Often

The best defense against getting bird flu is good hygiene, like washing your hands often. You should always wash your hands after touching birds or anything in a bird’s environment. Also use soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to clean your hands before eating and preparing food. And if you have open cuts or sores on your hands, cover them with gloves when doing anything that can spread germs, like shopping for groceries.

Maintain a Safe Distance from Birds

When it comes to staying healthy and avoiding bird flu, there’s no substitute for keeping a safe distance from birds. If you must go near them, take steps like covering your mouth when sneezing or coughing and washing your hands regularly. When in doubt, stick with poultry products that have been thoroughly cooked—this includes eggs. Also steer clear of live-animal markets in Asia where avian influenza has been detected; avoid contact with animals altogether if possible.

Don’t Panic

A bird flu pandemic will happen. It might not be in 2022, but it’s just a matter of time before another virus similar to H5N1 arises. Unfortunately, when that day comes, you don’t want to be ill-prepared. Here are five steps you can take now—and well before 2022—to ensure your family and community are protected

Drink Tea or Water

Drinking lots of water or tea (or both) is one easy way to stop your brain from getting dehydrated. Dehydration leads to reduced mental sharpness, and that results in worse decision-making. If you’re ever in a situation where you may have been exposed to bird flu, be sure to drink plenty of liquids. To be on the safe side, carry around an infohouse water bottle while traveling; no matter what happens it will keep you hydrated and at your peak!

Keep Pets Indoors

Pets can contract bird flu, just like humans. If you want to keep your pets safe from bird flu, confine them indoors and make sure they don’t come into contact with wild birds (birds that don’t belong in your home). Wild birds play a key role in transmitting bird flu from one flock of birds to another. Keep pet food covered so that wild birds are less likely to come in contact with it.

Avoid Large Gatherings

Large gatherings of people provide a great opportunity for viruses and bacteria to spread from person to person. Common sense can go a long way here—people who are sick should stay home. Additionally, while it might be tempting, try not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth when in large crowds. Frequent hand washing is also recommended. The best way to protect yourself during times of flu season is by getting your flu shot each year!

Wash Hands After Touching Animals/Pets

Experts recommend washing hands with soap and water after touching animals or pets, especially before handling food. This is especially important for children, who are likely to touch their mouths after playing with animals and are most susceptible to illness from bird flu. If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Soap and water are recommended when hands are visibly dirty, as well. Alcohol-based sanitizers can be used any time soap and water aren’t available.