Everything’s Just Ducky: Let’s Learn About Bird Flu!

I have been meaning to do this for a while. Today’s article in The Washington Post is what lit the fire under me. In brief, it suggests the bird flu could have been stopped two years ago, while still contained to Indonesia. However, thanks to some poultry magnates who didn’t want business disrupted and a criminally negligent government who didn’t want to scare people, it was never contained. Add in a very handy disease vector—migratory birds—and here we are.

Before we really get started, the good news. You are still relatively safe.  Bird-to-person transmission of avian flu is very rare (there may be thousands of sick birds out there, but only a hundred or so people have been ill). Person-to-person transmission is even rarer. Just keep reminding yourself of that. It’s not here yet, it's not spreading quickly between people at this point, and you can still have turkey at Thanksgiving.

Now, if you’ve heard anything about bird flu, your top questions probably are: Will it be here? Are we ready? And What can I do to protect myself?

Answers: Almost certainly; No; and Beyond washing your hands, not a hell of a lot.