| The only cases of bird flu in America, thus far, | | | | that H5N1 bird flu in America, specifically the |
| have been caused by a different strain of flu | | | | United States, will become a problem.Large poultry |
| virus than the one that is currently sweeping | | | | farmers in the U.S. are now and always have |
| through Asia, Africa and eastern Europe killing | | | | been concerned about bird flu prevention, no |
| thousands of wild and domesticated birds. Wild | | | | matter what the strain. They take precautions to |
| birds carry a number of these flu viruses, but it is | | | | protect their birds, because their birds are their |
| only one strain, H5N1, that has governments | | | | livelihood. Enclosures are designed to keep their |
| throughout the world concerned, both because of | | | | birds in and wild birds out. Workers wear |
| the risk to the poultry industry and because H5N1 | | | | protective suits, boots and head coverings for |
| has caused the deaths of 140 people to date. | | | | bird flu prevention and to prevent other diseases |
| Countries throughout the world are making | | | | from contaminating the poultry.While there have |
| efforts to inform the public about safety | | | | been some cases of some strains of bird flu in |
| practices that can lead to bird flu | | | | America that have resulted in the destruction of |
| prevention.Scientists expect to eventually see the | | | | several flocks of chickens in Texas and Virginia, |
| H5N1 bird flu in America, but it might not show up. | | | | there has only been one case of bird flu in |
| The concern is that migratory birds from Asia | | | | America that affected a human. He was a USDA |
| could pass the H5N1 strain to migratory birds | | | | official and it was a weaker strain of the |
| from the Americas when they both gather in | | | | virus.While no bird flu prevention efforts can |
| Alaska. So, H5N1 bird flu prevention at this point is | | | | negate the possibility of any bird flu in America, |
| focused on Alaska. Scientists believe that if they | | | | farmers, scientists and government agencies |
| can identify H5N1 bird flu in America when it first | | | | throughout the world are making efforts to |
| appears, then they can contain it, before it | | | | identify and contain outbreaks quickly. If you are |
| becomes a problem to the poultry industries in | | | | concerned about bird flu prevention for you and |
| the Americas.The U.S. Geologic Survey and the | | | | your family, take the same precautions that you |
| Department of Agriculture have joined together in | | | | would always take to protect yours and your |
| a H5N1 bird flu prevention effort that includes | | | | family's health. Cook meat thoroughly. Wash |
| testing feces and feather samples from about | | | | hands, cooking utensils, counter tops or cutting |
| 150,000 wild birds, mostly waterfowl. Scientists | | | | boards that have touched raw meat thoroughly. |
| believe that if they find H5N1 bird flu in America, it | | | | Eat right, get plenty of rest, take your vitamins |
| will most likely show up in the waterfowl first. | | | | and make efforts to maintain a healthy immune |
| Unlike domesticated poultry, wild birds can carry | | | | system. In this way, when and if cases of H5N1 |
| the H5N1 bird flu in America and elsewhere in the | | | | bird flu in America are reported, you and your |
| world without dying. In areas of the world where | | | | family should be safe. For more information about |
| wild birds mingle freely with domesticated birds | | | | bird flu or about how to protect your immune |
| they can infect their water supply or pass the | | | | system, visit Hamilton has more than twenty |
| virus to them through feces and other secretions, | | | | years experience as a health care professional |
| but USDA regulations in America as well as | | | | and currently writes informational articles for the |
| poultry industry standards decrease the likelihood | | | | Immune System Booster Guide. |