PRESS RELEASE (07/11/05) - IMMEDIATE RELEASE


BIRD FLU-As winter migration begins, what protection is advised for those near “high risk” migratory waterfowl sites?

The science

• On 25 August Bob McCracken, president of the British Veterinary Association, stated ”Wild birds that have migratory pathways over Europe and the UK will become infected. It is inevitable that bird flu will be carried to this country.”



• On 16 October the Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson stated it was only a matter of time before the deadly H5N1strain of bird flu reaches Britain. The country’s top medical official also warned that the inevitable arrival of the bug could kill up to 750,000 people in the UK.



• On 18 October Markos Kyprianou, the EU Health Commissioner, warned the public to brace itself for outbreaks of Asian bird flu across the EU. Mr Kyprianou told an emergency meeting of EU ministers in Luxembourg that the apparent relentless march of the disease westwards from Asia was unlikely to stop soon.

The EU have issued guidelines which will affect “high risk” areas such as wetlands, ponds or other areas visited by migratory wetland birds.

So there is no doubt of the danger. However even as the winter migration starts there are only a few steps you can take to protect yourself and your family. Regrettably three of the best known options are either unavailable or of limited use:-

1) Vaccine: There is no bird flu vaccine currently available. An effective vaccine can’t be developed in advance as work can only be started when the particular strain has been identified. From that point it then takes a minimum of four to six months to develop.

2) Antiviral drugs: There is a limited amount of Tamiflu available. The UK has a stock of 2,500 doses and is increasing its stockpile by 80,000 a month. However due to this limited supply the vaccine will have to be carefully rationed, with NHS staff and other vital workers being prioritised. These drugs can be expected to shorten the duration of the disease, alleviate symptoms and reduce complications and serious illness. The Swiss drug manufacturers Roche have bought the vast majority of the supply of raw material, the fruit Star Anise, and it takes several months before it can be harvested again. The price is rising sharply in many cases.

3) Flu jab: Here again this may provide some measure of protection if taken prior to contracting Bird Flu. The elderly and those with heart, respiratory and allied defects will be treated as priority and should ensure they visit their GP as soon as possible. The remaining public should also speak to their surgery.

There is however a range of protective devices which is both immediately available and reliable. They are inexpensive and comply precisely with the government’s recommendation that the best way of reducing the risk and protecting you and your family is to cover your mouth and nose, especially when coughing or sneezing. These modern respirators vary greatly in price and effectiveness. If used as instructed an FFP3 is very effective, whereas some others can’t be relied upon to the same extent for full protection. Citysurvive.com who are London based specialists in disaster prevention and recovery equipment, have carefully selected a small number of respirators most suited to this specific task, together with a range of associated equipment including a Bird Flu Kit.

If the UK’s top experts agree it’s ‘when’ not ‘if ’- DOING NOTHING IS SURELY NOT AN OPTION.

For further information please call 020 8378 6498.

-ENDS

If you should require any additional information please do get in touch.


PS Journalists who would like a free FFP3 Valved Respirator sent to them personally, please leave your contact details on the enquiry form on the contact us page of this website.

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