This article was co-authored by Andrea Rudominer, MD, MPH and by wikiHow staff writer, Dev Murphy, MA. Dr. Andrea Rudominer is a board certified Pediatrician and board certified Integrative Medicine Doctor based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Dr. Rudominer has over 15 years of medical care experience and specializes in preventive health care, obesity, adolescent care, ADHD, and culturally competent care. Dr. Rudominer received her MD from the University of California, Davis, and completed a residency at the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University. Dr. Rudominer also has an MPH in Maternal Child Health from the University of California, Berkeley. She is a Member of the American Board of Pediatrics, a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, a Member and Delegate of the California Medical Association, and a Member of the Santa Clara County Medical Association.
There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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If you’ve heard people on the news talking about bird flu (or avian influenza), you might be wondering if you should be worried about another pandemic—and what you can do to prepare. While it’s still unlikely that the 2024-25 bird flu will result in another global pandemic, it’s always good to be ready, just in case. Keep reading for expert advice on how to prepare for a bird flu pandemic, plus how to avoid infection, what to do if you think you’ve been exposed, and other useful information.
Bird Flu Pandemic Preparation
- Educate yourself about the bird flu, including how it’s transmitted and treated.
- Gather enough supplies to last you about a month and a half, including nonperishable food and plenty of medical supplies (like prescription meds and PPE).
- Talk to your loved ones and create an emergency plan together outlining how you’ll respond to a pandemic if it occurs.
- Practice good hygiene to avoid getting yourself or those in your circle sick.
Steps
Expert Q&A
Video
Tips
References
- ↑ https://www.lancaster.ne.gov/606/Pandemic-Flu-Planning
- ↑ https://www.lancaster.ne.gov/606/Pandemic-Flu-Planning
- ↑ https://www.mass.gov/news/state-officials-provide-updated-guidance-on-suspected-avian-flu-cases-reported-across-massachusetts
- ↑ https://www.lancaster.ne.gov/606/Pandemic-Flu-Planning
- ↑ https://www.redcross.org/volunteer/disaster-action-team.html
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/about/index.html
- ↑ https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2024-03/ready.gov_novel-pandemic_hazard-info-sheet.pdf
- ↑ https://www.mass.gov/news/state-officials-provide-updated-guidance-on-suspected-avian-flu-cases-reported-across-massachusetts
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/about/index.html
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/about/index.html
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/signs-symptoms/index.html
- ↑ https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/animal-health/avian-influenza/avian-influenza-companion-animals
- ↑ https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/animal-health/avian-influenza/avian-influenza-companion-animals
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/a-bird-flu-primer-what-to-know-and-do-202405083039
- ↑ https://www.mass.gov/news/state-officials-provide-updated-guidance-on-suspected-avian-flu-cases-reported-across-massachusetts
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/about/index.html
- ↑ https://archive.cdc.gov/#/details?url=https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/virus-transmission/avian-in-birds.html
- ↑ https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22401-bird-flu
- ↑ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7087815/
- ↑ https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/2024-03/ready.gov_novel-pandemic_hazard-info-sheet.pdf
- ↑ https://www.lancaster.ne.gov/606/Pandemic-Flu-Planning
- ↑ https://www.lung.org/blog/epidemic-pandemic-endemic-covid
- ↑ https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/Bird-Flu.aspx