“ “ ARE THE BIRDS ARE THE BIRDS SICK?”SICK?”

“ “ ARE THE BIRDS ARE THE BIRDS SICK?”SICK?”

CHILD’S GUIDE TO THE BIRD FLUCHILD’S GUIDE TO THE BIRD FLU

WHAT IS THE BIRD FLU?

• IT IS A SICKNESS OF POULTRY (CHICKENS) AND WATERFOWL ( GEESE, DUCKS)

And it has not yet been found in birds in the

United States.

The bird flu rarely The bird flu rarely passes from birds to passes from birds to

people people

The bird flu rarely The bird flu rarely passes from birds to passes from birds to

people people But it is spreading very quickly from But it is spreading very quickly from

birds to other birds at this time.birds to other birds at this time.

Right now• Only birds and people who have

very close contact with birds can get the bird flu.

Does it mean that my parakeet can give it to

me?

• As long as you keep your pet and its food and water inside, away from a place where outside birds may get it, it will not give it to you.

Can we get it from Can we get it from other animals?other animals?

Can we get it from Can we get it from other animals?other animals?

Right now scientists are unsure if you Right now scientists are unsure if you can catch the virus from other can catch the virus from other

animals like cats, and dogs.animals like cats, and dogs.

We need to remember:

• This isn’t the same flu that people normally get.

Who is at Risk?• Right now you are not at risk

unless you are a – Bird– Or a bird farmer– Or someone who handles chickens

and other birds.

Right now the U.S. Right now the U.S. has not had any has not had any

cases of the bird flu cases of the bird flu calledcalled

Right now the U.S. Right now the U.S. has not had any has not had any

cases of the bird flu cases of the bird flu calledcalled

H5N1H5N1

Why is everyone so concerned

There is very good reason.

• The Virus appears to be spreading from birds in Asia to birds in other countries.

• Unlike the regular flu there is no vaccine ( medicine) yet to protect people from catching it.

If possible the virus could change ( mutate)

and become a kind of germ that could be easily passed from one person

to another

Without a vaccine ( medicine) a lot of

people around the world could get sick.

When a lot of people When a lot of people around the world get around the world get

sick from fast spreading sick from fast spreading illness it is calledillness it is called

When a lot of people When a lot of people around the world get around the world get

sick from fast spreading sick from fast spreading illness it is calledillness it is called

PandemicPandemic

WHAT IS BEING DONE?

• A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE WORKING TO PROTECT PEOPLE FROM THE Bird Flu.

• About 150 Million birds have been destroyed in countries where the infection has struck.

Most Importantly

• Medical Researchers are working on a vaccine that would protect people from catching bird flu, even if it started to spread to other people.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?WHAT CAN YOU DO?WHAT CAN YOU DO?WHAT CAN YOU DO?

The answer is very easy

Wash your hands

WHY WASHING WHY WASHING HANDSHANDS

WHY WASHING WHY WASHING HANDSHANDS

Our hands carry Germs.

Do you know what Germs are?

“ “ Close your eyes and Close your eyes and think of something think of something

very, very, tiny”very, very, tiny”

“ “ Close your eyes and Close your eyes and think of something think of something

very, very, tiny”very, very, tiny”

“ What tiny things did you think of?”

• Germs are the smallest organisms.

• They can only be seen through a microscope.

Viruses• Are the smallest germs.

• When you have a cold, that is a virus.

BacteriaAre the most common germs.

Where can you Find Germs?

• Floors• Counters• Toys• Hands

Germs can be found Germs can be found everywhere, but everywhere, but especially your especially your

hands.hands.

Germs can be found Germs can be found everywhere, but everywhere, but especially your especially your

hands.hands.Our hands have so many germs Our hands have so many germs

because we touch so many because we touch so many things.things.

What are other ways that

spreading germs can be stopped?

To Stop Germs:• Cover your

sneeze and cough with a tissue.

• Wash your hands• Do not touch

used tissues

• Keep objects away from and out of your mouth

• Take a bath everyday

• Wear clean clothes• Do not use

someone else’s brush or comb

Think about your skin;• It plays a very important part in

keeping us healthy. Our skin protects our body in the same way that a plastic sandwich bag keeps germs and dirt away from our lunch.

Sometimes, if our skin Sometimes, if our skin gets a ‘hole’ in it, like a cut gets a ‘hole’ in it, like a cut or scrape, germs can get or scrape, germs can get past the skin and into our past the skin and into our body and blood and make body and blood and make

us sick.us sick.

Sometimes, if our skin Sometimes, if our skin gets a ‘hole’ in it, like a cut gets a ‘hole’ in it, like a cut or scrape, germs can get or scrape, germs can get past the skin and into our past the skin and into our body and blood and make body and blood and make

us sick.us sick.

When we get sick, our body uses a part of our

blood , cells called ‘white blood cells’ to fight off the

germs.

Even though our body can most often fight off the germs, it is always best to avoid getting sick in the first place.

To help us stay healthy, what do you think we can do to help protect our skin?

To protect our skin we could:

• Keep our skin clean by taking a bath and using soap each day.

• Wash our clothes and put on clean clothes.

• If we cut our skin, wash the cut with soap and water, and put a clean bandage over it. This helps the broken skin keep out the germs.

The number 1 way to protect our selves from germs is Hand washing!

The 3 steps to proper hand washing:

1) Wet your hands with water.2) Use a squirt of soap and scrub

the front and back of your hands, and between your fingers for 10 seconds. ( sing “Happy Birthday”).

3) Rinse and dry your hands.

Review• What are Germs?

• Germs are tiny little things that can sometimes make people get sick.

What are some things What are some things that you can do to that you can do to

stop germs?stop germs?

What are some things What are some things that you can do to that you can do to

stop germs?stop germs?

To stop germs:• Wash your hands

with soap.• Wash cuts with

soap and water.• Cover a cut with a

bandage

• Cover your sneezes and coughs with a tissue.

• Take a bath using soap.

• Wear clean clothes.

“ By washing your hands with soap and water and taking care of out bodies, we can help keep everyone from getting sick. The American Red Cross cares about you. We want you to stay healthy and safe! Don’t get sick. Wash up quick! The American Red Cross cares about you and your family!”

Thank You!Thank You!Thank You!Thank You!