Preparing to Survive the H5N1 Avian Flu Pandemic

HOW TO PLAN FOR BIRD FLU

Get Your Will in Order

Any one of us may not survive a major pandemic.   It is likely that one in forty won’t.  If you haven’t already made preparations and arrangements, now is a good time

 Life Insurance

If needed, buy more life insurance now since it takes time to get a policy.  If nothing happens, you can always cancel it later.  It would be prudent to select only the bluest of blue chip insurers, as the economic impact of a major pandemic is not predictable. 

Get a Flu Shot and a Pneumovax Vaccination

Even though the recipe for the 2005-6-flu season does not include protection against the avian flu, be sure to get one anyway.  The reason for this is that many experts predict that the most likely time for a pandemic to begin is during the regular flu season.  If you have the flu shot, it will protect you against the seasonal flu and prevent you from developing it during the same time that pandemic flu is circulating in your community.  Also, you do not want to come down with flu twice in the same year.  Since pandemic flu is so different from seasonal flu, contracting both is possible. The chance of surviving a second infection are poor, especially if you are still weakened by the first one.   Protection  from pneumonia is advisable with a Pneumovax vaccination.  Health authorities recommend both vaccines.

Communication

In the event of a power failure a generator could power your radio and TV.  Since a generator is not practical for most households a battery operated radio and a good supply of batteries is recommended. 

First Aid Supplies  (suggestions for minimum amount)             

If doctors, hospitals and clinics are overwhelmed with flu victims medical attention may be unavailable for minor to moderate injuries and illnesses.  Advice from doctors or nurses may be available via the telephone.  It is important to know Basic First Aid, CPR and how to take a Blood Pressure.

Food and Water

Disaster relief organizations recommend having 72 hours worth of food and water on hand per person for emergencies.  This may be fine for a localized, short term, disaster like an earthquake or hurricane.  But a pandemic will be spread across the entire country at the same time which will disrupt supply, distribution and restocking of store shelves for a much longer period of time.

For a potential influenza pandemic planning organizations recommend a two week to one month supply of food and water.  Some recommend a 2--3 month supply.  Neighbors, friends and relatives may not have made preparations and may need your assistance with supplies.  You may want to plan for extra provisions to assist others.  Don’t forget your pets. 

If you are without a Colman stove and extra propane tanks, buy food that does not require cooking.  Without a generator and a large supply of fuel, stockpiled food should not require refrigeration.

Storage of one gallon of water per day per person is recommended.  Water should only be stored in food grade containers.  Milk containers should not be used because they are almost impossible to get completely clean leaving open the possibility of bacteria growth.  Glass containers are not recommended because they may break.  Large soft drink bottles can be used if thoroughly cleaned.   

REI sells two types of 7 gal. water containers designed for storage.  Store water in a cool dark place.  Water should not be stored near containers with any type of fuel products because of the possibility of cross contamination.  The FDA states that tap water doesn’t need anything added to it for preservation if changed every six months.  Fill containers completely to the top.  One gallon plastic containers of water can be purchased at the super market for under a dollar and will last one year if the seal is intact.

Rain water can be collected by hanging tarps and using house rain gutters.  This water could be used for bathing or toilet flushing.  Large trash cans and/or yard waste and paper recycling bins can be used for this for this purpose.

 Extra items to keep on hand (suggestions for minimum amount)

 Paying for goods and some services with credit cards or checks may occasionally become problematic.  Having extra cash on hand in ones, fives, tens and twenties may be beneficial.     

There are three things that you can do to protect yourself and others from the spread of the H5N1 or any other influenza virus by hand contamination.  The best protection is:

Alcohol based hand cleaners are also very effective but should only be used after as much soil as possible has been removed from your hands with soap and water or a moistened towelett.  Any brand of moistened towelettes (preferably containing alcohol) will work.  It is important to note that just coughing into hands can create enough soil for the alcohol based hand cleaners to become ineffective.  However, if it is not possible to first use soap and water or a towelette, the use of these hand cleaners alone is better than doing nothing at all.  However, it is very important to note, that for alcohol based hand cleaners to be effective, even after washing, hands must be wet with the cleaner for at least 30 seconds. 

One quart containers of alcohol based hand cleaner can be purchased at Safeway for $5.00.

A solution made from 2 teaspoons of household bleach added to one quart of water can also be used as a disinfectant for hands and 3 teaspoons per quart (1/4 cup per gal.) for surfaces.  Bleach solutions will weaken quickly (24 hrs.) and should be made with caution and in small amounts.  

Whichever method used, care must be taken not to allow hands to become rough or chapped from excessive cleaning.  This can create cracks and crevices that may collect infectious organisms making your hands much more difficult to clean.

Latex, vinal, nitrile or heavy duty gloves are another alternative for protection of hands but should be disposed of when torn.  For providing caregiver services, gloves should be conserved by being used for body substance contact only and changed between patients/clients.

Influenza viruses are known to survive on the hands up to 15 minutes, on non-porous surfaces such as steel and plastic for up to 48 hours and on cloth, paper, and tissues for up to 12 hours

KEEP YOUR FINGERS OUT OF YOUR EYES AND NOSE.

COUGH INTO A TISSUE OR YOUR ARM.  NOT YOUR HANDS!!

If you cough into a tissue, properly dispose of it immediately.  Do not save it for re-use.

Respiratory protection

Wearing effective respiratory and eye protection when in a public setting or around others may be your best protection from exposure to the influenza virus.

Masks are rated by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.  Masks should be rated N95 or higher.  An N95 mask or filter is 95% efficient at filtering out particles 0.3 microns and above.  An N100 mask has a 99.7% efficiency in filtering out these particles.  The virus is about 0.1 micron in size but when expelled from patients it is usually larger than this because it is enveloped in saliva as droplets making the N95 mask, if correctly worn, sufficient to prevent the virus from reaching the respiratory tract through the mouth and nose.  If respirators such as N95s are not available, covering mouth and nose with a surgical type mask, and wearing eye protection such as glasses, can provide some protection from droplets if around coughing persons.

The masks listed below are examples.  There are many different companies selling masks that will provide the same protection.

MSA Full Face respirator:  “Advantage 1000” with P100 particle filters.

The full face respirator is intended for use in crowded areas, places where you will be forced into close contact with others or when you know that you will be coming into contact with someone who has been diagnosed with the virus.  Any situation where extreme protection is desired.

   Filters for MSA full face respirator:

**The prefilters can be cut to fit and placed over the cartridges to double protection.  You will need to modify a canning jar lid by flattening the threads with pliers to attach the prefilters to the cartridges.  Breathing with double filters may be laborious and should be done with caution.

N95 paper particle masks.

Eye Protection

Eyes are particularly vulnerable to viral contamination.  Particles from a cough or sneeze can travel through the air at least three feet.  Walking through a viral contaminated mist with unprotected eyes can result in infection.

The eye protection listed below is an example.  There are many different companies selling eye wear  that will provide similar protection.

Uvex # S3405X Chemical Splash Goggle

This eye protection is a nice compromise between a SCUBA face mask and safety glasses.  It has an anti-fog coating, indirect venting, UV protection, polycarbonate optical quality lens and can be worn over glasses.

If you are concerned about contamination through the indirect venting you can cut small pieces from the full face mask prefilters to place in the vent space for added protection.

If goggles or respirators are not available, plain surgical masks with eye shields or eye glasses can provide some protection against air born droplets.  When removing these items, it is important to wash hands, use an alcohol based hand cleaner or towelettes afterwards. 

They will be contaminated!!!

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