Preparing for Bird Flu

If you’re troubled about the threat of a bird flu pandemic, you’re not alone. Nationwide surveys reveal growing concern that the highly publicized disease could reach the U.S., perhaps as soon as the next flu season.

While the abundance of news coverage has helped raise awareness of bird flu and a potential pandemic, reports on the disease’s most sensational aspects have obscured some of the most important facts.

For example, it is currently very difficult to contract bird flu, also known as “avian flu” or the scientific name, H5N1, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). WHO had confirmed only about 200 cases of bird flu worldwide as of May 2006. Most of these cases involved direct contact with infected birds, and nearly half of the patients recovered from the illness.

What concerns scientists and health officials is that the current bird flu strain could evolve into a more contagious form and make its way to North America. Taking prudent steps for “worst-case” scenarios puts governments, organizations, and health researchers in the best position to limit the spread of the disease, and get help to those who will need it the most.

Worry About Bird Flu
Unfortunately, the near-constant stream of news about bird flu has also given rise to feelings of stress, anxiety, and fear of the future. Such responses are understandable, given the disease’s uncertainties, and the incomplete or over-dramatized nature of many stories.

Some people fear that the disease will result in quarantines. Unlike the mass, hospital-like approach used during the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic, the approach for bird flu will more likely involve having people stay at home and away from large gatherings. This step would likely be imposed only in limited areas and for brief time periods.

A mind-body connection
Concern about bird flu may also amplify the effects of other stresses in your life. Over time, this can take a toll on your physical health because of the human body’s built-in stress response mechanisms. Research has revealed a strong link between prolonged stress and a whole host of potential physiological risks including cardiovascular problems such as heart attack, stroke, and high blood pressure, and elevated cholesterol levels.

Some stressors can “age” people faster than normal, a process that can weaken the body’s immune system. Researchers also believe that the combination of stress and loneliness can decrease the effectiveness of the immune system.
Feelings of despair that accompany stress and anxiety may occasionally lead to chronic depression.
What you can do
Although bird flu is a threat that should be taken seriously, it should not control your life. There are many simple and effective ways to manage your fears and anxieties. Many of them are essential ingredients for a healthy lifestyle; adopting them can help improve your overall emotional and physical well-being.

• Keep things in perspective. Public health agencies around the globe have already invested vast resources in analyzing bird flu and predicting where the virus may appear next. They are also refining plans to limit the extent of an outbreak. Limit worry and agitation by lessening the time you and your family spend watching or listening to upsetting media coverage.

• Stay healthy. A healthy lifestyle—including proper diet and exercise—is your best defense against any threat. Adopting hygienic habits such as washing your hands regularly will also minimize your exposure to all types of germs and disease sources. A healthy body can have a positive impact on your thoughts and emotions, enabling you to make better decisions and deal with bird flu’s uncertainties.

• Have a plan. Recent hurricanes and other weather-related events have illustrated the importance of emergency preparedness. These same steps can help you and your family prepare for any bird flu outbreak. They include stocking up on non-perishable foods as part of your regular grocery shopping, establishing an emergency family communication plan, exploring options for working from home and caring for sick family members, etc. Knowing in advance that you are prepared can lessen your anxiety.

• Keep connected. Maintaining social networks and activities can help maintain a sense of normality, and provide valuable outlets for sharing feelings and relieving stress. This may also be an ideal time to become more involved with your community. Some of the most inspiring survival stories from Hurricane Katrina spotlighted times when people came together before and after the disaster.

• Get the facts. Gather information that will help you accurately determine your risk so that you can take reasonable precautions. Find a credible source you can trust such as your physician, a local or state public health agency, or a national resource such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. Focus your Internet searches to reputable sites such the World Health Organization www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/index.html, the US government www.pandemicflu.gov, and the American Red Cross www.redcross.org.

• Seek additional help. Individuals who feel an overwhelming nervousness, a lingering sadness, or other prolonged reaction that adversely affects their job performance or interpersonal relationships should consult with a trained and experienced mental health professional. Psychologists and other appropriate mental health providers can help people deal with extreme stress. These professionals work with individuals to help them find constructive ways to manage adversity.

Thanks for help from: Raymond F. Hanbury, PhD, ABPP, Richard A. Heaps, PhD, ABPP; Bruce Nystrom, PhD; H. Katherine O'Neill, PhD; Suzan M. Stafford, EdD; and John R. Tassey, PhD

© 2006 American Psychological Association

Documents from apahelpcenter.org may be reprinted in their entirety with credit given to the American Psychological Association. Any exceptions to this, including requests to excerpt or paraphrase documents from apahelpcenter.org, must be presented in writing to helping@apa.org and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Permission for exceptions will be given on a one-time-only basis and must be sought for each additional use of the document.