When the bird flu hits America...?

Question

Will the schools be closed? What effects will there be on our everyday lives?

Answer 1

Good question. If you're talking about the flu that's all over the news right now - the H5N1 strain of influenza A, then we could have serious problems.

First of all, the H5N1 virus (sometimes called the bird flu or avian influenza) is all over the bird populations and has been shown to infect cats. Occasionally, humans who are in close contact with birds infected with the virus have also caught the virus. About 50% of those known human infections have resulted in death.

However, there is no documented transmission BETWEEN humans, meaning that the virus cannot yet pass from human to human. If it acquires that ability (through mutations of its genetic material) and it is capable of moving efficiently from human to human, then we will have a serious problem on our hands - a pandemic.

Some of the already established plans to control a pandemic include - 1)Increased social distance - meaning cancellation of all community/public gatherings - like school, church, rallies, etc.
and 2)Quarantine - isolating the sick to reduce the likelihood of transmission.

Pandemics usually occur about every 20 or so years. Our last one was in the late 60's - so we're overdue. If it isn't with H5N1, it will be with some other influenza virus - hopefully a weak one that doesn't infect well.

Answer 2

It depends on how severe the possible epidemic will be. It is predicted that at one point in the future a world epidemic or flu pandemic will occur, but some say that those estimates are exaggerated.

According to how fast the virus will be able to spread, and how far will we have gone into finding a cure or vaccine for the disease, bird flu might only affect small communities or it might cause major social disruptions nationwide. It is likely that public institutions such as schools will be closed, because an environment with a large number of people living or working closely together is an accelerating factor for the virus' spread. Just keep watching the news, visit websites such as http://www.bird-flu-center.com don't panic and keep your common sense.

Answer 3

If the bird flu hits America....nothing catastrophic will happen. The bird flu is completely blown out of proportion. No schools won't be closed and your everyday life might change. The only difference is that it will be all over the news.

Answer 4

if the bird flu hits america it could potentially be like a disaster movie. just look at the spanish flu 1918 (i think) and how many millions of people perished. yes , schools will close, you may not have water or electricity, may not get your trash picked up, people may be holed up in their homes for weeks until the bug passes through their area..stores may close, you may not be able to get food or water and may not want to go to the store when you run out if the stores are even open. i personally, am stocking up so i can survive for several weeks in my home if it comes down to it, better safe than sorry, i can always use the water and canned foods if it never comes here. but if it does and we are not prepared, dont expect that the govt is going to take care of you-you will be on your own for the most part.

Answer 5

If there is an epedemic, yes I think that schools and public places will temporarily close. Who would want to send their kids to school if they could get sick there? And yes, like someone else said, it is a good idea to have 2-3 weeks worth of food. You remember the poor reaction of the American gov't to the levee breaks after Katrina? Do you know that there was a area in Louisiana that the gov't (both local and national) took at least a week to get to? That there were Canadians who came down the Mississippi River before our government bothered to?Don't expect a better response from the US gov't if there is a nation wide (or even state wide) epidemic.

Answer 6

It sounds like it could get pretty nasty, but nobody seems to know for sure whether or not the virus will mutate into a form which is extremely contagious among humans. Time will tell. If it does happen though, look for the government to try to run our lives, and even quarantine people.

Answer 7

well i live in the uk and this winter they have said that bird flu will get bad and they say if there is an outbreak off the disease then public places(school, shopping malls...) will be closed down

Answer 8

I truelly believe this book.

Dr. Lorraine Day, M.D. - "How One Wicked Nation Can Kill Billions Around the World With One Lie" Learn the "truth" behind the so-called bird flu pandemic! Destruction of the food supply of the world by killing off the turkeys, ducks and other birds used for food (because of the irrational fear of “Bird Flu”) in addition to the destruction of cows (because of the REAL threat of Mad Cow Disease – which they are presently down-playing), and sheep (because of the REAL threat of “Scrapie” which is Mad Sheep Disease). This is one of the ways they will bring about massive famines that will starve to death millions of people.

Answer 9

there is no longer something that asserts you will get it from eggs human beings grew to develop into contaminated after entering close touch with stay contaminated chicken. • Genetic examine confirmed the virus jumped at once from stay birds to human beings, and brought about severe ailment with severe mortality.

Answer 10

If it comes to America then we just have to deal with it I guess, sadly though..

but keep in mind if you take care of your body, keep it healthy is all that matters right now.