David Nabarro, also warned that the bird flu virus may mutate at any time

David Nabarro, who is the head of the World Health Organisation’s section for dealing with protection against a possible bird flu pandemic recently announced that while the risks of a bird flu pandemic must not be underestimated the world was in a stronger position to deal with the threat following an “extraordinary global response”.

He said that the world was much better geared to dealing with a full blown influenza pandemic after having improved infrastructure for dealing with outbreaks and by stocking up on antiviral medication such as Tamiflu and by educating health officials and vets in how to deal more efficiently with the problem. 

Nevertheless David Nabarro, also warned that the bird flu virus may mutate at any time into an incredibly deadly form which could kill anything between 5 million and 150 million individuals. It is worth knowing that a previous bird flu epidemic in 1918 killed an estimated 40 million individuals. He likened the H5N1 bird flu virus to a smoldering forest fire which could suddenly flare up again if it wasn’t watched properly.

Educating taking health authorities on how to cope with the bird flu virus is essential to dealing with it. Researchers have shown that while influenza drugs and bird flu vaccines could be very useful to contain the deadly virus it is essential that people were aware of sensible hygienic practices such as washing hands and covering your mouth and nose from germs.

Reacting fast to the symptoms of a bird influenza virus and getting good medication is also essential to a speedy recovery from the disease. The Tamiflu influenza medication made by the drug company Roche is recommended by the World Health Organisation as being the medication most likely to save you from the fatal symptoms of the illness.