Bird flu prevention is probably at the top of most people's minds right now, thanks to the ongoing news reports about bird flu spreading to humans in Asia.
The good news is, at the moment, there's little danger of bird flu becoming a pandemic in America because the virus only spreads from bird-to-bird and from bird-to-human. But viruses have a bad habit of mutating, and in the event that it does mutate and begin to spread human-to-human, what bird flu prevention methods will be best?
As with any kind of flu, cleanliness is your best bet. Commercial chicken houses in America must make a special effort to keep their houses clean and sterile. Bird flu prevention rests heavily on them because the overcrowding, excessive steroids, and lack of exercise for commercial poultry puts them at enormous risk. A return to natural, farm-raised chickens would be the best form of prevention, but until that happens, cleanliness and safety are essential.
On a personal level, cleanliness is also important. But more important is staying in good health. If bird flu becomes an issue, then being healthy and fit may make the difference between getting a little sick (or even not getting sick at all) and getting very sick or possibly even dying. Drink water. Lose weight if you're overweight. Exercise regularly. Get plenty of fresh air. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, and use as little fat and salt as you can get away with. A healthy body with a strong immune system is able to ward against all kinds of diseases, including flu and bird flu, much better than a body that's constantly having to wrestle with excess weight or impurities in the bloodstream or dehydration on top of everything else. So rely on that as a means of bird flu prevention.
Bird flu prevention is doable. It just takes common sense, and a willingness to be strict with yourself when necessary. But good health and safety are worth it!
Scott Byers is a major contributor to
Bust Bird Flu as well as many other websites. Visit us to find out more about
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