Pure Water Hydration In An Avian Flu Pandemic

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Article Title:

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Pure Water Hydration In An Avian Flu Pandemic

Article Description:

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A threat to the nation's health is emerging in Asia and the

Indian Sub Continent that has potentially devastating

implications. Avian Flu (the H5N1 strain of Influenza A) is a

fact in many parts of Asia, although to date the avian strain has

not combined with human influenza in a sustained manner. If a new

strain emerges in humans with the fatality profile of the H5N1

virus, the effect on the world population will be dramatic.

Additional Article Information:

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1556 Words; formatted to 65 Characters per Line

Distribution Date and Time: 2007-04-23 11:00:00

Written By: Marcus Stout

Copyright: 2007

Contact Email: mailto:marcus.stout@...

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Pure Water Hydration In An Avian Flu Pandemic

Copyright © 2007 Marcus Stout

Element H2O

http://www.elementh2o.com

A threat to the nation's health is emerging in Asia and the

Indian Sub Continent that has potentially devastating

implications. Avian Flu (the H5N1 strain of Influenza A) is a

fact in many parts of Asia, although to date the avian strain has

not combined with human influenza in a sustained manner. If a new

strain emerges in humans with the fatality profile of the H5N1

virus, the effect on the world population will be dramatic.

When the combination to create a human to human strain occurs

however, and isolated cases may already involve human to human

transmission, the conditions precedent to a world wide pandemic

will be met. Pandemic flu is defined as " a global outbreak of

disease that occurs when a new influenza A virus appears in

humans, causes serious illness and then spreads easily from

person to person world wide. " (Source: Grattan Woodson, MD, FACP)

The original Avian Flu (H5N1) represents a deadly strain for

humans with a 50% mortality rate and many experts believe that

the pandemic could be equally lethal..

Pandemics occur when existing flu strains mutate and make their

way from birds or swine to humans in a new strain for which

humans have little no immunity. Historically pandemic influenza

has caused widespread damage and death. Influenza pandemics are a

regular occurrence in history.

Pandemics in History

To date, only influenza outbreaks account for pandemics and

pandemics have occurred throughout history. Over thirty pandemics

have happened in recorded history. All influenza pandemics infect

many times more people than normal seasonal (flu caused by

viruses that are already among people) influenza outbreaks. In

addition major pandemics can have severe adverse effects on the

economy and daily life.

Three flu pandemics occurred in the 20th century with differing

levels of intensity.

* The 1918 " Spanish Flu " Pandemic- A major pandemic that

accounted for over 50 million deaths world wide. (Originated in

Kansas, USA)

* The 1957-58 " Asian Flu " pandemic – A " minor " pandemic that

accounted for 36,000 deaths in the United States alone

* The Hong Kong Influenza of 1968-69 – A minor pandemic that

accounted for about the same level of deaths as seasonal flu.

The severity of a pandemic depends upon the virus that causes it

and the H5N1 Avian flu virus has proven to be particularly fatal

to humans. One fact is clear: pandemic influenza will occur again

– it is only a question of when. When a virus starts to spread

easily and rapidly among humans the conditions for a pandemic

have been met.

The 20th century pandemic examples occurred in waves of illness

of up to three waves over a 9-12 month period. Often the first

wave was not the most severe. During the 1918 Pandemic, over 90%

of the deaths of the pandemic occurred during the second wave.

Human Impact on Virginia of a " Medium Level Event "

Northern Virginia is a densely populated, high technology

corridor adjacent to Washington, D.C.. Because of the buildup in

the Homeland Defense industry as a result of the war on

terrorism, the population is large and experiencing rapid growth.

Many of the new comers are young professionals with young

families.

Based upon historic data a 'medium level event " , more serious

than the Asian Flu Pandemic of 1957-58 but not as severe as the

1918 Pandemic, will result in the following estimates for the

State of Virginia:

* 2,700 to 6,300 deaths

* 12,000 to 28,500 hospitalizations

* 575,000 to 1.35 million outpatient visits

* 1.08 million to 2.52 million people becoming sick

Estimates for losses from a " major event " are significantly

higher.

Infrastructure Impact

In addition to human damage, the effect on the infrastructure

will be considerable. Having a large number of ill people will be

very destructive to the infrastructure. A major pandemic will

likely disrupt essential public services and supplies and create

temporary breakdowns in food delivery, electric and water utility

service and possible public order in major urban centers. These

critical industries are highly dependent on raw materials

supplied by vendors and key employees with the expertise to

maintain operations.

An Integrated Economy

The United Sates enjoys the benefits of a highly integrated

economy with highly efficient delivery of goods and services and

rapid communications. This level of integration allows for more

efficient management of material inventories but would break down

rapidly in the event of dislocation in any part of the chain.

Basic industries like electrical and water utilities would soon

cease to function. Disruption of channels of distribution for the

food industry would result in rapid and near total shortages of

food and water.

What Can Be Done to Prevent a Pandemic?

* Flu Shots and the Pandemic

Standard flu shots for seasonal (normal) flu will not guard

against a new pandemic strain of the flu virus because each new

flu mutations have different DNA characteristics. For new strains

it takes many months to develop and distribute a vaccine and

during this time the new strain will most like have run its

course.

* Anti-Viral Treatments

Presently, the only available anti-viral antibiotic effective

against the H5N1 strain of influenza is Tamiflu® (oseltamivir).

This drug is in short supply, requires a doctor's prescription

and is not manufactured in the United States. Other anti viral

antibiotics are in the development stage but are not proven ready

for production.

What Can Be Done to Prepare for a Pandemic? – Prepare Now!!

Preparing now can limit the spread and effects of pandemic

influenza. A pandemic would touch every aspect of society, so

every part of society needs to prepare. Essential services may be

disrupted, food and water supplies may be limited and medical

care for those with chronic illnesses may be suspended.

Although most people will have little or no immunity to pandemic

influenza, in the event of a flu pandemic proper planning and

preparation will help mitigate the damage. Planning has already

begun at the international, federal, state, local, community and

individual business levels but experts agree that all planning

must start at the family level. The family will serve as the core

of wellness and remedial care since hospitals and other health

care provides will become quickly overrun with patients if a

major level pandemic occurs.

As a basic unit of society, the family can provide first line

care and prepare a preventative survival plan that can be rapidly

implemented. These plans include improvement of basic hygiene,

assembly of food, water and medical supplies and protocols for

avoiding infection. Management of the protection of the family

unit, with proper planning, can significantly reduce the impact

of a pandemic.

Federal, state and local internet sites are the best source to

help develop workable and effective Family Survival Plans. The

State of Virginia and local counties in Northern Virginia like

Fairfax County have initiated plans and planning out reach that

will help mitigate the effects of a pandemic. Like all disaster

plans, there is nominal cost associated with proper planning.

There are two parts of planning: resource planning and home

treatment planning. Resource planning involves the stock piling

of food, water, regular prescription and non prescription drugs

and strategies for home care of infected individuals. Home

treatment planning involves specific actions to treat infected

individuals. A key aspect of home treatment is treating

dehydration.

Planning for the Treatment of Dehydration

As part of an overall pandemic disaster survival plan, the role

of hydration cannot be overemphasized. The human body can survive

for weeks without food but only days without water. Preventing

dehydration ranks highest of all treatments for influenza and

many experts feel that preventing dehydration in flu victims will

save more lives than all other treatments combined. (Source:

Preparing for the Coming Influenza Pandemic by Grattan Woodson,

MD, FACP)

Most family survival plans provide for a sufficient supply of

drinking water to last for an extended period in the event that

normal drinking water supply is disrupted. Pure water is required

for both drinking and cooking. Many estimates call for 1 gallon

per person per day for as long as the normal supply is

disrupted.(At least two weeks and possibly more). A good source

of bottled water is required since normal supplies will be

disrupted.

How to Choose a Water Supplier:

A family pandemic disaster plan needs to provide for a consistent

source of pure drinking water. Tap and well water are unreliable

sources during a pandemic and bottled water is considered the

best source by many experts. Purified water, because all minerals

and contaminants have been removed, is the purest water and has

the longest shelf life of any bottled water. Extended shelf life

is important if the pandemic is extended by subsequent waves of

infection. Many believe that distilled/filtered/oxygenated water

is the purest, best tasting water with the longest shelf life.

Pick a supplier with local manufacturing in the Northern Virginia

area to avoid home delivery disruption. In the event that a

pandemic disrupts channels of distribution, avoid bottled water

suppliers who source their product from remote springs with long

supply lines.

Although no one can predict with certainty the timing and virus

strain of the next pandemic, the risk of an influenza pandemic is

serious. Proper planning will serve to mitigate the effects of

the pandemic. Like all disaster planning, a small amount of

serious planning is cost effective and good insurance to maintain

good health. Plan for the worst and hope for the best.

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Marcus Stout is President of Element H2O. For more

information about (http://www.elementh2o.com/) bottled

water, (http://www.elementh2o.com/Store/) private label

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