Hints and Tips
Page 14
Preparing for the bird flu
Bird flu is a pandemic waiting to happen, says the Ministry of Health. It could occur anytime and we should be prepared, here is the Ministry of Health's advice.
What is bird flu and how do I know if I have it?
The proper name for bird flu is avian influenza H5N1. It's a type of flu virus with the same symptoms as any other flu - a high fever, headache, muscle aches and pains, fatigue, coughs, sore throats and runny noses. Symptoms last for up to seven days and it can cause death.
How is bird flu spread?
So far people have caught it from having contact with infected birds. There is no evidence of it spreading from person to person.
Is there a vaccine?
There are no commercially available vaccines to protect us against bird flu because we don't yet know what strain the virus might be.
What can I do to prepare for a pandemic?
Make sure you have an emergency survival kit. It should include a week's worth of non-perishable food and drinking water.
Make a plan for what you and your family would do if you had to stay home during a pandemic.
How can I care for myself and others during a pandemic?
Stay home if you are sick and avoid unnecessary contact with other people. Flu is very easily spread through coughing and sneezing.
Talk to your family and friends about health hygiene, which includes regular hand washing, and sneezing or coughing into a handkerchief or tissue.
Don't share bedding, clothes or eating utensils with people who are sick. It's OK though to wash these items together with everyone else's.
What is New Zealand doing?
New Zealand has been planning for bird flu for some time. District health boards have local plans and the Government is stockpiling anti-viral medicine to help reduce the impact of a pandemic.
For more information about bird flu, go to www.moh.govt.nz/pandemicinfluenza or phone 0800 AVN FLU (0800 286 358).