10 Tips for avoiding bird flu

We have established in greater detail elsewhere on this site that the main concern about bird flu is that it may make the transition from being a bird -> human transmission to being a human -> human transmission. At present, even working/living in very close proximity to infected birds it is difficult for a human to contract bird flu. The real concern is that over the coming months, the virus may evolve to allow human -> human transmission.

It is stopping this passage from one individual to another that will cut the risk of transmission. Among the are precautions you can take are:-

• Wash your hands regularly - after visiting the bathroom, before preparing food, before you eat, after playing with pets, when they are dirty etc. Viruses are often spread by rubbing the nose, eyes or mouth after you hands become contaminated with the virus.
• Avoid rubbing nose, mouth and eyes - for the reasons above.
• Antibacterial soaps won't help - Antibacterial soaps will be of no advantage over regular soap.
• Adopt good cough manners - remember what you were told as a child about coughing/sneezing into a hankerchief - if you are not quick enough your hand or your elbow are probably less effective, but better than nothing.
• Teach your children all of this - Children are less likely to obey the rules above than you are. Make sure you teach them how to avoid colds and flus too.
• Avoid people who are sick - minimise contact with those who are sick.
• If you are sick try to avoid others - don't go to work, or send your children to school or daycare if they are showing the symptoms.
• Avoid smoking if possible - some studies have shown that smokers are more at risk from flu than non smokers.
• Take care with bird faeces - when washing your car take particular care with bird droppings, bird flu to date has been almost exclusively caught from inhaling microscopic fragements of dried dropping floating aroud in the air.
• Current flu shots will not help - until scientists develop a vaccine for the current strain of bird flu other vaccines will not help. In fact initally it is believed to weaken the immune system, so you are more likely to come down with the flu after vaccination.