For the Birds

Avian influenza typically spreads when live birds that are contaminated are bought and then sold, and by contact of birds with bird droppings on dirty equipment, cages, feed, vehicles or shoes and clothing. Therefore it is very important to practice good hygiene and bio-security. Hot soapy water and detergents are the first things that should [...]

Since antiviral medications could be effective in treatment of the bird flu, or avian influenza, the U.S. government has purchased 26 million antiviral treatment courses and expects to have on hand a total of 81 million treatment courses by the end of 2008.  HHS is stockpiling enough antiviral medications to treat 25% of the U.S. [...]

Bird flu is a very uncommon disease, so there are many misconceptions about the illness. Many people don’t know that there are many forms to this influenza virus, and many are unaware of how it is contracted. There are some very basic elements to the bird flu virus that all humans should know and understand. [...]

The make-up of a flu virus is somewhat complex.  What researchers know about this virus is that it is roughly round, will the possibility of also being elongated or irregularly shaped.  Inside the virus are eight segments of single-strand RNA that contain genetic code for making new copies of the virus.  The flu virus has [...]

The threat of bird flu pandemic has become very real to many people. The US government has taken many steps in preparing for a possible pandemic. However, preparing for a pandemic should not just be on a federal level. There are many things normal citizens can do to prepare themselves, and their homes for a [...]

The World Health Organization is the United Nations specialized agency for health. It was established on April 7, 1948. The WHO’s objective is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. Health is defined in the WHO’s Constitution as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely [...]