The bird flu has recently stirred up lots of confusion, as well as create quite a scare amongst Americans. The bird flu, more formally known as H5N1 avian influenza, is an infection caused by contagious bird flu viruses, which naturally occur among birds. It has been known to make domesticated birds, like ducks, chickens and turkeys, severely ill and sometimes die. Infected birds can spread the flu virus by way of saliva, nasal secretions and feces. Many Americans are now wondering if the bird flu will become the next pandemic. A pandemic is a disease that is spread over a wide geographic domain to a large population of people. “It will only cause the next pandemic if it evolves so that it can be spread easily from person to person. This has killed at least 62 people in Asia and most were in close contact with sick birds or their droppings,” says Newsweek. Countries that have been affected thus far in Asia are Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam. So far, the total number of cases is 124, and death toll is 63, as reported by the World Health Organization. As a result, tens of thousands of ducks and chickens are being killed in Asia in an effort to stem the spread of the virus. The World Health Organization warns that though travel to Asia is relatively safe in regards to the bird flu, travelers should avoid contact with live animal markets and poultry farms
A simple flu shot will not prevent it if it becomes a pandemic. There is currently no vaccine available for the bird flu, and there will not be one made available unless it becomes a pandemic. Even then, it will take months for one to be developed. Symptoms in humans may include fever, cough, muscle aches, eye infections and pneumonia. You can protect yourself and others by always washing your hands and covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze. So there is no need to worry yet! By keeping good hygiene and making yourself aware of the progression of the bird flu, you can be as prepared as possible should it become a pandemic.