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Shelley Osterloh Reporting We've all heard the reports about the possibility that some day we may face a pandemic of the bird flu. While health officials stress it is just a concern, some companies are fueling fears to sell products.
First it's important to note that the avian flu --- called the bird flu --- is just that, a flu that affects birds. It is rare that a person gets the virus. But still, marketers are anxious to sell you something to protect you.
From radio ads for a special soap that will kill the bird flu virus to the Internet, there are lots of products promising to help you avoid the bird flu. You can get face masks in assorted colors for the whole family; there are books that will tell you how to take care of your lungs during a bird flu attack; and even special soap. Well, all soap kills viruses.
And there's one more important fact: The Bird Flu isn't in the USA.
Robert Rolfs M.D., Utah State Epidemiologist: "Avian influenza means bird influenza. It's a problem for birds right now it in other parts of the world, and it is a problem for birds there."
Dr. Robert Rolfs, the Utah State Epidemiologist, says while Bird Flu is getting a lot of attention, Utah has other health threats we should be concerned about.
Robert Rolfs M.D., Utah State Epidemiologist: "Right now we have something of an outbreak of pertussis in Utah, which is again another respiratory illness, which is a reminder that we can do practical things to keep it from spreading. There is a specific new vaccine that is available now that people can take to protect themselves from that."
As for the bird flu, experts say it is very difficult for the bird flu to be transmitted to humans, but there were 29 humans deaths world wide last year. Dr. Rolf says you would be better off to focus your efforts to reduce current health threats.
Robert Rolfs M.D., Utah State Epidemiologist: "Getting good physical activity so you are eating a good diet, wearing your seatbelt, not smoking, not using alcohol in excess, protecting yourself from the common things that are there all the time. Motor vehicle crashes, heart disease, cancer."
The Utah Health department website has good information about pandemics and what we should all do to prepare for that, or any other possible emergency.
