What you can do to start Preparing for Human transmission Avian Flu - N95 Masks

opinion | 10-10-2005 | brianbaldwin

[Brian_Baldwin]

If you search +”N95” +”mask” +”flu” from any of the popular internet search engines, you will find many providers of N95 masks. You can order such masks online. The demand for such masks is increasing, and of course you can fully expect supplies to be effected by such demand if/when the Avian influenza comes to the United States.

The CDC has some good information at: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/professional/infect-control.htm … and they also recomment to use a fit-tested respirator, at least as protective as a National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-approved N-95 filtering facepiece (i.e., disposable) respirator if entering a room where infection is active.

OSHA provides further information regarding which masks to use, and how to properly use them. This site goes into the aspects of industrial masks and respirators outside of the issue regarding Avian flu, but provides insight to use of masks and fitting: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/respiratory/

Other measures you can do now if you are concerned is to support politicians and legislation that tighten our out of control borders, especially the invasion of disease ridden illegal aliens from Mexico. You may also consider purchasing a firearm for protection of your family, during the Medieval ages when the plague hit there were cases of total panic and victims of such panic due to lack of armed self protection. The unlawful also often seek to advantage the collapse of order and policing when pandemic outbreaks occur, which often extends much further than looting and robbery of businesses.

Vaccines may not be effective because the influenza mutates even within short periods between human transmissions, and so an effective vaccine in one case may soon become ineffective for a later mutation. If the government stockpiles a particular vaccine for Avian influenza, it will likely be ineffective if/when an outbreak actually occurs. The H5N1 virus began in April 2005, but there are subtypes such as H9N2, and other bird flu virus subtypes any of which can mutate and become deadly. You cannot expect a vaccine purchased by the government in 2005 to be effective in 2006 against an Avian flu pandemic in California, Arizona, New Mexico or elsewhere. It is a constant "guessing game" regardin any "flu shot", science simply guessing what will be the cocktail to a specific flu or range of influenza. This is because a virus can change, even a specific flu because of subtypes, such that the "flu shot" is ineffective. If you think there have not been any outbreaks of Avian flu in North America with transmission to humans, you better check out the CDC link indicated because you would be wrong, there have been cases of human transmission of H7N3 in Canada, H7N2 in New York and cases of outbreaks within poultry in Texas, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey:

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/outbreaks/us.htm

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/avian-flu-humans.htm

We do not want to go the route of Y2K and dried food scams. But if a pandemic breaks out, you probably will not want to make regular visits to your local Safeway or any public market. In general practice, a safety supply of some food, canned tuna fish for example (please, no jokes about mercury poisoning) or other canned food dated with re-supply schedule for expiration, supply of water, etc., is always a good idea in regards to any disaster, and many who would be effected by the pandemic live in earthquake or hurricane areas in which preparation is recommended in general.

Keep basic medical supplies, including eye solutions, prescription, contact lens supplies, aspirin and fever reducers and such. Watch for expiration dates, and re-supply using an expiration schedule. All of this is obvious, but what may not have been obvious is the N95 mask. Again, demand at the time of a pandemic may outstrip supply, so you may consider acquiring a supply beforehand. This is not meant to be predictive of pandemic, nor doom and gloom. Simply a thought to consider among friends.

[wolfcreek]

"I saw a physician on FOX's BOR show tonight who told the audience the key is "caution, not panic"."

I believe, he also said, the current flues around the world, all originated from avian flu. Perhaps, this is much to do about nothing.

[Jim Noble]

It is not clear that the US government is willing to consider restriction of international travel in the event of an outbreak of lethal infectious disease, but strong public support for such a sensible and low-cost intervention can't hurt.

At the time of the SARS event, the CDC cautioned that the need to prevent stigmatization and discrimination was primary in developing screening programs, let's hope their thinking has evolved.

The outbreak, if it occurs, will begin in Asia. We will have several weeks to act, and closing the airports to inbound flights from China and SE Asia would be extremely helpful.

That's an intervention that should be on the table.

[Iscool]

Guess it's time to start stocking my bird feeder with 'D-Con'...

[Jim Noble]

Migratory fowl is where most of the threat is from and there is not a bloody thing anyone can do about that.

Migratory fowl are a threat because H5N1 influenza virus can evolve in their bodies, but they are not and will not be an important vector of human influenza.

Only infected humans will serve in that role.

The good news is that human H5N1 disease is a fast mover, so not many "carriers" will be travelling.

But preventing the landing of infected humans in the US is of critical importance, there's no evidence at the present that we are prepared to do so.

And good to all for pointing out the absurdity of a nexus with Mexican immigration. Infected Mexicans won't be able to walk a mile, much less across the border.

Infected Chinamen will be flying all over the world.

[Wolfie]

We do not want to go the route of Y2K and dried food scams.

Well, no, not in the middle of your bird flu mask scam.

[Jim Noble]

I am an RN for 25 years now...what's new about this flu vs any other kind of flu we've had for the past decades? Nothing. All flu can cause people to be very sick or even die..so WHY IS BIRD FLU ANY DIFFERENT?

Because H5N1 does not just infect ciliated respiratory epithelial cells.

It has an antigen complex which attaches to alveolar cells directly, causing bleeding and pulmonary edema. Humans who get infected die in 72 hours from respiratory failure, and the mortality rate appears to be 50-70%.

You are quite right to decry the hype, because there are as yet no tertiary cases. The organism has been studied since 1997, and no change in its sporadic nature (in humans) has yet been seen.

But it is a fearsome pathogen when it does infect humans, quite unlike the human-adapted strains we usually see. That's why it's different.

[Northern Alliance]

.....( I thought it was a good joke, and I hope you don't mind me sharing it.....)

I enjoyed it -thanks! Actually I wish there were a lot more jokes posted - lighten things up a bit...

[Ditter]

I had not heard that the flu in 1957 was Avian. I had the flu in the fall of 57 and I have never been so sick and I have had the flu many times since. Maybe I will have a small measure of immunity if this comes to pass. My husband had the flu in 1964 and I thought we would lose him. He was weak as a baby 6 weeks later. Wonder what strain of flu he had. I did not catch it from him BTW, and I slept in the same bed with him and took care of him all day.

[Northern Alliance]

And I don't eat birds at all! Safe

The worry is human to human transmission.

Bird to pig migration has already been documented. One worry is that if pigs can harbour both bird and human flu viruses, the two strains could interact and form a strain that more easily infects humans.

[Gritty]

I am an RN for 25 years now...what's new about this flu vs any other kind of flu we've had for the past decades? Nothing.

Lot of information at the following link if you care to read about it;

Avian Flu Surveillance Project

[Peace Is Coming]

[SVTCobra03]

"Been watching this for a year now. Got the masks (N95 and N100) and always keep items well stocked for just this kind of thing.

Us lone crazy survivalists have to stick together dontchaknow.. :)"

Not so fast. http://www.ph.ucla.edu/epi/bioter/n95masks.html

[SVTCobra03]

I recommend this mask.

http://www.uscav.com/productinfo.aspx?productid=5468&utm_source=TrafficLeader&utm_medium=ppc&utm_term=ADVANTAGE+1000+CBR-RCA+Gas+Mask&utm_campaign=TrafficLeader&urlid=TrafficLeader

[CMAC51]

You are ridiculous. The bird flu is considered to be dangerous because birds carry it. Why is that for every problem, your prescription is to kick out two illegal (preferably Mexican) aliens and then see how you are doing in the morning ?

Ease up a little. If a pandemic occurs it will be because the virus has made the expected mutation that allows human to human transmission. The latest report is that it has already made 5 of the 10 mutations necessary to support human to human airborne transmission.

[gopheraj]

Actually do test people who come in to the country legally, at leat the ones who come in to work or try to stay. Have to go to a doctor that has connections to the fed government to get a physical once they get here. Before hand they have to get shots and physicals to prove they are healthy.


http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/ineligibilities/ineligibilities_1364.html

[F-117A]

Bump!

[kb2614]

Hey, wait a minute. You were attacked by a Blue Jay many years ago.

YOUR DOOOOOMED!!!!!

I blame Bush.

;-)

[penelopesire]

"Guess it's time to start stocking my bird feeder with 'D-Con'..."

Yikes! (lol)

[bitt]

thanks, that is fearsome!!

[penelopesire]

"I simply refuse to panic or instill panic by going nutso with masks and warnings and believing the overhyped press on it. The media freaked out last year over the flu and it turned out to be a very mild season."

Well,let's hope you are right about this part.