Is the Government Ready for an Epidemic?

Experts have said that the Avian Flu could kill a billion people around the world, because there just is not enough medicine to combat it.

Some believe that President Bush's call to remain on the offensive has come too late and there is not time to prepare and the results could be catastrophic. Scientists say the H5N1 virus could pose a much greater threat than smallpox, AIDS or anthrax, because it kills a high percentage of the people who become infected.

No one has a natural immunity to this form of flu which started in wild birds.  When the birds migrate, they spread the flu to other birds such as chickens, geese and ducks which are raised on farms.  As the flu mutates, it becomes able to spread to humans.

The Bird Flu is not a normal flu.  It doesn't cause the sniffles, sneezing and other upper respiratory symptoms.  The H5N1 goes deep into the lungs and causes severe pneumonia.  That is why many of the birds die of pneumonia. Their lungs fill up with fluid and blood.

The cases of humans contracting the bird flu start and are highest in the countries of Asia where chickens are stacked in cages in markets in huge numbers.  Asian governments have killed millions of chickens in an attempt to stop the spreading of the flu.  But, that hasn't really seemed to help.

Scientists warn that the danger lies in the flu mutating into a strain that can be spread from one human to another. Scientists say the humans have only been infected by birds.

If human-to-human cases begin, it could cause a pandemic much greater than the 1918 Spanish Flu.  There were few airplanes in 1918.  Now there are non-stop flights all over the world making it easy for the flu to spread to nearly every corner of the globe.  If you touch an object recently touched by an infected person, ride on the bus, pass someone in a mall, you could unknowingly have just become infected.

Hospitals and doctors' offices would not be able to care for all the ill patients.  They will have trouble finding places to keep all the dead until burial, if they have enough caskets for them.

If a pandemic does occur, it could take months, if not years, for it to run its natural course.  Quarantining of neighborhoods and hospitals could be the norm.  People need to be prepared.  Experience has shown that citizens to NOT prepare for disasters.  This is why there are always people killed when hurricanes go through.  They don't leave and don't stockpile supplies.  They expect the government to swoop in and take care of them.  But, what do you, or the government, do if the entire country is under siege from a microscopic organism?

The military may be so overwhelmed with the virus that they might not be able to drop in supplies to infected areas. 

A conservative estimate has been set at 200,000 American dieing in the first few months.

Reports show that it could be as long as six months after the first outbreak before a vaccine will be available.  And, the numbers may be small then.

Tamiflu is the only medicine known to treat H5N1.  But, there is a shortage of the medicine.  Countries are stockpiling it in preparation for a pandemic.  The U.S. is low the list to receive Tamiflu, because the government did not place an order as soon as it was shown to treat H5N1. 

So, as always, it is best for the average person to be vigilant, wash your hands, and prepare you, your family and your house for a quarantine period.  Don't forget to stock up on first aid supplies, prescription medicines, batteries, candles, water and canned goods.  You can always use them.  They won't go bad.  And, you will be ready for whatever comes your way.