The CTV News reported on August 8, 2014 that the ebola virus (spreading through, now, four countries: Guinea, Sierra Leon, Liberia, and Nigeria) is nothing to panic about. That it does not travel "in the air and is not efficiently spread to humans." However, the Daily Beast has reported that the virus is spreading like "wild fire" as a result of West African burial practices in which the bodies of the dead are touched, causing the Red Cross to create the Dead Body Management Team that goes into communities and disinfects bodies and prepares them for burial. Timing is everything, however, simply because there are many communities whose members do not believe the ebola virus to be real. According the the Beast, "Insufficient medical care, shortage of supplies, and lack of money are undoubtedly contributing to an epidemic the World Health Organization has a deemed a 'national disaster.' But with a death toll now topping 1,000 in four countries, it’s the battle over dead bodies that is fueling it."
While we like to believe that the good news is the real news, given the complexity of our globalized world, it is not implausible for North Americans to see people infected with the ebola virus. There is an update as of August 9, 2014 about the patient being tested currently in William Osler Health System's Brampton Civic Hospital who recently travelled to Canada from Nigeria and presented with symptoms including fever, headache and malaise. While there are many precautions being taken, it remains plausible that this individual, if he in fact has Ebola, has already come in contact with loved ones and others.
Whether you believe the good news by the CTV or not, here is a recap of important tips for surviving a global flu pandemic:
Here are some things you can do to prepare for a pandemic:
1. Stay Informed: Should such a pandemic flare up, the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Health Agency of Canada will provide information on the spread of disease, as well as updates on vaccines and other medications, tips for keeping safe, and other advisories.
2. Wash Your Hands Frequently: This is the single most powerful defense against avian influenza and many other infectious diseases. Also, keep with you an alcohol-based hand-sanitizer. Be sure not to touch your face while out in public. If you are opening doors, or pressing buttons on the elevator, get in the habit of using a tissue as a buffer between your hands and the handle/lever/button.
3. Food: Ensure you have enough food to last for at least 8 weeks, choosing shelf-stable foods, such as rice, canned goods, dry goods, cereals, and powdered milk.
4. Hydration: Stock up on drinks, water, coffee/tea, and other forms of hydration, including electrolyte replacement drinks, such as Gatorade. At the least, you should have a 2-month supply of water.
5. Medication: Stock up on prescription medications, with a two-month supply. Include in this Tylenol and Advil as forms of fever reduction. Keep vitamins well stocked up as well.
6. Hygiene: Have a two-month supply of hygiene products, such as toothpaste, toilet paper, feminine products, diapers, etc.
7. Practice Social Distancing: Avoid going out in public. The greatest way to prevent becoming infected is to avoid exposure to infected people. Social distancing, especially avoiding contact with large groups of people, is a reasonable precaution to take in the event of a pandemic.
o Stay at home
o Try to work from home
o Keep children home from school
o Avoid public transportation
o Stay away from public events
8. Wear a Respirator: These look like surgical masks, but protect the wearer from inhaling germs. You can buy reusable ones with replaceable filters.
9. Wear Medical Gloves: Medical gloves can prevent germs from getting on your hands. They should be removed if torn, damaged, and hands still must be washed after wearing them.
10. Seek Medical Attention at Onset of Symptoms: The effectiveness of antiviral medications decreases as the illness progresses, hence prompt medical treatment is critical. If you’ve come in contact with someone who you think is infected, seek medical attention immediately, even if you are unsure whether or not you’ve been infected.
These are not simple issues. Our world is more complex than it once was. We are under constant threat of pandemics, both those that are known and tracked, and those that are not yet known. To understand that this is one of the most important issues facing the 21st Century and to take the necessary precautions is simply living wisely.
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