LYSOL website helpful hints for bird flu

The germ experts at LYSOL® believe that preparing, not panicking, about the Avian Flu is the best thing you can do for your family. Read through this five page article to learn how to prepare at home, school and work. You will find general preparedness information as well as links to your state government's plans. As a reference, click here to print our Avian Flu checklist—a short guide to prepare your family for a possible outbreak.

Based upon the latest estimates by wildlife experts and the USDA it is believed that the Avian Flu (H5N1) will be identified on the North American continent sometime during the summer bird migration of 2006. Should a human pandemic from this ultimately develop, it is estimated that up to 30% of the population may become ill. With our current healthcare infrastructure already stretched thin and distribution channels of goods possibly shut down, it will be our own responsibility to take care of ourselves.

At this time the H5N1 Avian Flu virus is a bird to bird transmission strain. Experts have stated that with continued earth travel and exposure to alternate species, including other wild animals, pets and farm animals, the chances of the virus possibly mutating into a human strain may increase. This is not meant to scare, but rather impress the importance of the need to be prepared.



Flyway map demonstrates how migratory birds blanket North America. [Credit: USFWS]






Confirmed Human Cases by Country [Note: Numbers are confirmed by World Health Organization and may not reflect news or country reports.]



GET INFORMED

Knowing the facts is the best preparation. Identify sources you can count on for reliable information. If a pandemic occurs, having accurate and reliable information will be critical.
Reliable, accurate, and timely information is available at www.pandemicflu.gov.

Another source for information on pandemic influenza is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Hotline at: 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636). This line is available in English and Spanish, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. TTY: 1-888-232-6348. Questions can be e-mailed to cdcinfo@cdc.gov.

Look for information on your local and state government Web sites. Links are available to each state department of public health at www.cdc.gov/other.htm#states.

Listen to local and national radio, watch news reports on television, and read your newspaper and other sources of printed and Web-based information.

Talk to your local health care providers and public health officials.Planning for any type of emergency is in your best interest. Listed below are examples of how to prepare your family for an emergency. For more information go to www.mypyramid.gov or www.cdc.gov

Items to have on hand for an extended stay at home:


Examples of food and non-perishables
Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables, and soups
Protein or fruit bars
Dry cereal or granola
Peanut butter or nuts
Dried fruit
Crackers
Canned juices
Bottled water
Canned or jarred baby food and formula
Pet food



Examples of medical, health, and emergency supplies

Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood-pressure monitoring equipment
Soap and water, or alcohol-based hand wash
Medicines for fever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
Thermometer
Anti-diarrheal medication
Vitamins
Fluids with electrolytes
Cleansing agent/soap
Flashlight Batteries
Portable radio
Manual can opener
Garbage bags
Tissues, toilet paper, diapers and feminine hygiene supplies
Plastic garbage or trash bags with twist ties
Disinfectant Spray
Disinfectant/Sanitizing Wipes
Disposable Baby Wipes


(Adapted from www.pandemicflu.gov)
To keep your family busy, comfortable and connected, have portable flashlights, radios, TVs, electronic games and personal MP3 players with complete charges on hand. Portable DVD players and board games can help entertain the entire family. Keep chargeable items like cell phones fully charged. Assemble school learning supplies to keep the mind healthy, too. Free Children’s Learning and Activity Books can be ordered by dialing 1-800-99-LYSOL. Portable outdoor grills are always helpful should the power be interrupted.

If possible keep all vehicle gas tanks full. Additionally, homes with wells should maintain a supply of water for manual toilet flushing should power loss render the pump useless. 1.5 gallons of water poured directly into the bowl will flush it completely.

Should an outbreak occur, two weeks of isolation should be adequate, however, the longer one can live segregated, the better. The following is a formula for maintaining a level of family comfort for a week for a family of four. For additional time simply multiply the supplies by weeks expected

Supply basics per person per day based upon the 2005 USDA food pyramid are as follows:


FOOD GROUPS 30 YR OLD MALE 30 YR OLD FEMALE 8 YR OLD MALE 8 YR OLD FEMALE TOTAL / WEEK

GRAINS 9 OZ. 6 OZ. 5 OZ. 5 OZ. 175 OZ.
VEGETABLES 3.5 CUPS 2.5 CUPS 2 CUPS 2 CUPS 70 CUPS
FRUITS 2 CUPS 2 CUPS 1.5 CUPS 1.5 CUPS 42 CUPS
MILK 3 CUPS 3 CUPS 3 CUPS 3 CUPS 84 CUPS
MEAT/BEANS 6.5 OZ. 5.5 OZ. 5 OZ. 5 OZ. 154
OIL 8 TSP 6 TSP 5 TSP 5 TSP 168 CONVRT
WATER 1 GAL. 1 GAL. 1 GAL. 1 GAL. 28 GAL.
Additional Valuable Information

The American Red Cross has always recommended emergency preparedness, not for a possible flu pandemic, but rather any emergency that may come upon us. Such emergencies may include a tornado, flood, severe winter storms, etc. A family preparedness kit can be purchased directly from the Red Cross, packaged in an easy to carry back pack. Additional information can be found by visiting www.redcross.org.

Additionally, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Coordinating Center for Infectious Diseases, National Center for Infectious Diseases (CDC) in partnership with Reckitt Benckiser Inc., the makers of LYSOL® Brand Products, have recently updated and re-launched a 7 Step Program called AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION—KEEPS THE GERMS AWAY. By following these seven easy and low cost steps one can stop many infectious diseases and maintain a Safer, Healthier Home. These seven steps include:

CLEAN YOUR HANDS OFTEN—Keeping your hands clean is one of the best ways to keep from getting sick and spreading illness.

ROUTINELY CLEAN AND DISINFECT SURFACES—Cleaning with soap, water and scrubbing removes dirt and most germs. However, using a disinfectant cleaner kills germs, giving even better protection.

HANDLE AND PREPARE FOOD SAFELY

Clean hands and surfaces often
Separate—don’t cross contaminate one food with another
Cook foods to proper temperatures
Chill- Refrigerate foods promptly
GET IMMUNIZED—Getting immunizations is easy, low-cost, and saves lives. Make sure you and your kids get the shots suggested by your doctor.

USE ANTIBIOTICS APPROPRIATELY—Antibiotics don’t work against viruses such as colds and flu. Unnecessary antibiotics can be harmful. Antibiotics should be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

BE CAREFUL WITH PETS—Pets should be routinely cared for by a vet. Babies and children under age 5 should be watched carefully around pets and animals. Always wash hands after touching animals or animal waste.

AVOID CONTACT WITH WILD ANIMALS—Wild animals can carry deadly diseases and pass them to you and your pets. Keep your house free of wild animals by not leaving any food around. Keep garbage cans sealed.

For information about downloading these helpful materials or to order brochures and posters, please visit www.cdc.gov/ounceofprevention.
State-by-State Pandemic Information

Each state page contains information about the state pandemic plan, summit materials, formal agreements, and other pandemic information pertaining to the state.

State Pandemic Plans
Access all state pandemic plans that are currently available
by clicking on your state.




IN SUMMARY


PREPARATION NOT PANIC can help make life go on as normal while keeping your family healthy. Every family knows their habits and routines best. The above are simple guidelines to help maintain life as close to normal as possible in the event that any emergency takes place.

For additional information and other healthy messages, please feel free to visit www.lysol.com.

You many also click here to contact our team for more information or if you have questions about the Avian Flu.