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Dr. Kim Mulvihill ReportingDon't panic, that's the key message from the federal government today on Avian flu. Experts say it's probably on its way to the US in birds, but that does not signal a pandemic among humans.
The US has finalized its bird flu preparation plan, emphasizing the need to prepare, but not to panic. The government believes wild birds could bring Avian flu to the US, coming in thru Alaska, as early as this year. But so far, there's no reason to fear a massive human outbreak.
Of the 98 people who've died in Asia, nearly all had direct contact with infected birds. Experts say the H5N1 virus doesn't easily pass from person to person. But scientists do know there are two versions of this virus; one is harmless, the other can be deadly.
The government will test up to 100-thousand wild birds this year and is offering incentives for poultry manufacturers to find the virus. Even though it's not a public health problem yet, the government is urging businesses to prepare.
Mike Leavitt, Secretary of Health & Human Services: "They need to ask themselves the question: 'How would we continue to operate, to serve our customers and the public in general, if 40 percent of our workforce could not come to work for a two to four-week period?'"
The US is stockpiling antiviral medications and hopes to be able to produce 300 million doses of a vaccine within three to five years.
If you're worried about bird flu getting into the food supply, don't be; officials say that's unlikely. And even if it did slip in, proper cooking kills the virus.
