Bird
Flu hysteria just for the birds,
all hype
Jordyn Taylor
Understandably, the United States government wants to regain the faith of its
citizens after recently being criticized for its slow response to cities destroyed
by natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina. However, is it necessary for them
to use “fear factors,” such as the Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) Virus,
just to appear competent to handle national
tragedies?
For almost a month now, the media has cautioned the citizens about the threats
of the Bird Flu, warning that an influenza pandemic could begin. In Bethesda,
Md., the president told the National Institutes of Health that Avian Flu has
developed the characteristics needed to cause a pandemic. Additionally, he advised, “If
the virus developed the capacity for sustained human-to-human transmission, it
could spread quickly around the world.”
He assured citizens the government was preparing to stockpile vaccines and wanted
to be ready to respond at federal, state and local levels in the event a pandemic
reached the United States.
I applaud their efforts, but why cause a panic when spread of the virus from
human to human has been rare and has not continued beyond one person?
When I first heard about threats of the Bird Flu Virus, I immediately decided
against eating poultry. I love Popeye’s chicken, but no way was I going
to let its flavorful two-piece meals be the cause of my death. Yet, after doing
my own research, I was calmed to learn the rare and low risk of the virus.
The Department of Health and Human Services Web site says the risk of Bird Flu
is generally low for most people because the virus occurs mainly among birds
and does not usually infect humans.
Additionally, it reports the risk is mainly possible to people who have contact
with infected birds or surfaces contaminated with excretions from infected birds.
Moreover, free-flying aquatic birds have been the most frequent source of the
spread of the disease, and there aren’t any cases of “American” human
infection.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently advises that travelers
to countries with known outbreaks of
Avian Influenza avoid poultry farms, contact with animals in live food markets,
and any surfaces that appear to be contaminated with feces from poultry or other
animals. It also does not recommend any travel
restrictions to affected countries.
That’s a relief. However, I don’t think poultry farms are even tourist
attractions. If I could afford to take a trip to Europe or Asia, visiting poultry
farms would not be a “must see.”
My research on the threats of the Bird Flu Virus proved it was less threatening
than the media hyped about its potentiality of becoming a pandemic. If the government
is worried about a pandemic, it may want to take a look at the rapid spread of
the HIV virus in Africa, which has infected and killed millions.
The caution of the Bird Flu pandemic provided by government “meatheads” sounds
like a bunch of baloney. I’m just pleased to know that I no longer need
to sacrifice my “finger-licking good” dinners from Popeye’s,
KFC or any other fast food restaurant that serves chicken meals — for now,
that is.
Jordyn Taylor is a junior journalism major.
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