Global Alert: What Can We Do?

Prevention of the flu: Individual, endemic or pandemic

Many people unknowingly catch and spread the flu to others, every day. Then, when a global alert is issued by the World Health Organization, they begin to wonder, "What can we do?"

What is a global alert?

A global health alert by the World Health Organization indicates that there is a serious situation pending or happening already. It is important for people to comprehend what is going on and to understand what it means for them, when a global alert has been issued.

A global health alert suggests that there is imminent danger of the transmission of a disease, like a flu virus, to people everywhere. There is immediate danger of contagion or the possibility of infection to many people, if they are in contact with a disease, either directly or in-directly. A global health alert is not sent out unless evidence has revealed that the disease is highly contagious or communicable to many people, around the world.

Should people panic when a global alert is issued?

When people start to demonstrate symptoms of the flu, immediate fear or panic about the possible spread of the disease, can set in. Fear can spread as rapidly as the disease. Is fear justified? Yes, fear about the possible spread of a disease, like the flu virus, is always justified, particularly when it causes a large number of deaths, in one specific area. It is far more serious, when this happens on a global scale.

Panic is not something that should happen, but it does. People should try to remain calm, cool and collected, regardless of the situation at hand. Appropriate measures to stop or prevent the further spread of the disease, must be taken immediately.

There is always legitimate concern about a disease like the flu, spreading to another area. It is called an epidemic, when the infection is limited to one area of a country or to a specific group of people and a pandemic, when it endangers the lives of many people around the globe.

On the pandemic or global level, it is referred to as Strain A. An epidemic is confined to one area of a country and referred to as Strain B. When the flu affects individuals, it is referred to as Strain C.

Mutations of the flu virus occur regularly. The sudden appearance of different hybrid versions of the flu virus, against which there is no immediate defense, are possible. Vaccines need to be developed and that takes time, as first the virus has to be identified with respect to its source, the degree of severity of the illness it can cause and how rapidly it is spreading.

What is the flu?

The flu is a viral, respiratory infection transmitted by human beings, animals and birds. It can be a human virus, an avian virus or an animal virus. The current flu virus is the swine flu virus or the H1N1 virus. Sometimes, viruses are the direct result of a combination of all three sources of cross infection.

Any contact with contaminated material from birds or animals by human beings, can result in a people contracting the disease, as human beings can have their genetic material intermingled with that of birds and animals. The disease can spread or be transmitted from one human being to other human being quickly, unless it is contained in some way.

Appropriate measures of containment must be taken. It may necessary to quarantine infected people or to dispose of animals and birds that are infected. Travel restrictions for affected areas may need to be initiated.
Understanding the disease process and how the flu is spread is important, as this allows the appropriate measures needed in order to prevent, contain or eliminate the disease.

What are the symptoms of the flu?

Symptoms of the flu may include the following: fever, coughing, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, joint aches and severe headaches.

What can we do?

There are many things that we all can do in order to prevent the spread of a flu virus to others, if we have become infected.

Anyone demonstrating flu-like symptoms should stay at home until symptom free. He or she should see a physician immediately, if the symptoms become severe or are prolonged. If necessary, a patient and his or her family, should agree to be quarantined until such a time as there is no further evidence of any infection, or endangerment to others.

If you have a persistent cough, always cover your mouth when you cough. Use your arm or elbow, instead of your hand, as this will help to reduce the spread of infection. Encourage others to do the same.
Avoid close personal contact with others, particularly non-family members, by kissing, hugging or touching one another.

In community settings, avoid shaking hands or hugging. Since the flu is an air-born disease, do not stand immediately in front of anyone if he or she is coughing. Allow an appropriate distance between yourself and others. This will help to protect both you and them.

Good hand washing techniques are always important, no matter where you are. Use clean, fresh, flowing water and hand soap to wash your hands. Always wash them properly. Use hand disinfectants when it is not possible to wash your hands. Carry disposable disinfectant wipes with you.

Contact with anything you touch may lead to the spread of the infection. For instance, the flu can be spread by touching the cell phones or public telephones if they are infected, so avoid using or sharing them. Use a disposable wipe to clean them first, if you have to use them.

When opening and closing doors in public places, infection can be spread through direct contact with door knobs or by touching a metal plate on a door that other hands have to touch in order to open it. Use a shoulder or elbow to open a door instead of your hands, when possible.

In classroom settings, do not touch the desks and chairs of other students, as that could result in spreading the flu virus. Avoid sharing lunch pails, backpacks, books, pens and pencils at school. In preschool or nursery settings, do not let your children share their toys, baby bottles, water bottles, cups, dishes or cutlery with other children.

Use disposable tissues instead of a handkerchief. Dispose of any used tissues immediately. If you want to use a handkerchief, make certain that you have a clean, one every day.

When using public washroom facilities use paper towels or hot-air hand dryers instead of cloth towels to dry your hands. Let your hands dry in the air. It may be inconvenient for you, but it will only take a few minutes.

Avoid touching handrails on escalators or stairways in public places, like malls or entertainment centers.

Avoid using public computers in libraries, as the keyboards may be contaminated. These can be cleaned by using a damp, paper towel or by using disposable wipes.

Avoid eating in unclean restaurants. Refrain from using cups, glasses, dishes or other cutlery handled or used by other patrons. Choose your foods wisely and eat food that has been properly cooked.

When you are at home, always wash your cups, dishes and utensils, as soon as possible after they have been used, as they can become an immediate source of infection; so can kitchen towels and dishcloths. Change and wash them frequently.

Use disposable cups, dishes and cutlery in public places like ball parks, parks and swimming areas. Make certain that they are disposed of properly. Use your own towels.

Stay away from large crowds at public centers and fairgrounds, if possible.

Avoid eating any kind of food that may have been sitting for a long time or has become contaminated by others. This could include food served at street festivals where there are vendors, booths in public centers, like theaters or entertainment centers. Choose foods that are pre-wrapped or take your own snack food with you.

Make certain that your jacket, shirt and other clothes are always clean, particularly when you are going out in public. Change your clothing every day. If you are aware that you have been somewhere where there is an infection running rampant, wash your clothes, as soon as possible. Do not put them into your closet, without washing them.

Consider wearing a surgical mask or a light scarf to cover your nose and mouth, when you are in a public place if there is a high incidence of flu in your area. This is important when there are others who are coughing or appear to be ill. Keep your distance from anyone who is obviously ill.

If you know that there is a high level of contagion in a specific area, or in a particular country, do not travel there, unless it is absolutely necessary.

Avoid going to the hospital to visit others who are ill with the flu. Visit your own doctor when it is necessary, but avoid unnecessary visits, particularly when there is a large number of people who are ill with the flu in your area.

Inquire into the availability of anti-flu vaccine and obtain flu shots from your local physician.

Always drink clean, fresh water or water that has been properly treated, boiled or bottled. Never eat or drink anything that you suspect has become contaminated.

With respect to birds and animals, avoid handling them or having any contact with dead animals, excrement or other material that may be infected. If you are walking in an area, where there is bird or animal excrement, make certain that your boots or shoes are well cleaned. Avoid going bare foot.

While the above measures may not prevent the spread of all viral infections, they may be instrumental in reducing the number of instances of contagion. Never put your life or anyone else's life in danger by taking unnecessary risks with contaminants of any kind.

When the World Health Organization issues an alert, it can be on a low level, like 1 or on a high level, like 6. A global alert on any level, is extremely important and it should never be ignored, particularly when the flu is known to be severe enough to endanger the lives of people. Your health and that of others is important.