Pandemic Flu: How Prepared Are We?

"When we had the `Spanish Flu` in 1918, 20-40 million people worldwide died. So could it happen again? The answer is yes it could," says Rick Johnson, who is the Public Health Preparedness Coordinator for the Washington County Health Unit. The pandemic flu-- a global outbreak of disease that occurs when a new virus appears and spreads from person to person. The threat is real and Johnson says no one can predict what will happen, but we must expect the worst. "We only have so many funeral homes, mortuaries and things like that... so we have to figure out a way to keep the bodies until we can properly dispose of them." And the government`s national plan says the local communities will have to step up. "The state and local communities are going to be basically on their own, so we have to be prepared." H5N1 is a subtype of Influenza A, and Johnson says its easily transmitted. Birds are especially a concern because they can carry this virus into the U.S., even very close to home. "One of them is right across the east side of Arkansas... because that`s where the duck hunting is." And if, or when the pandemic happens, prepare with your family. "It will move rapidly throughout the U.S., and well do the best we can- but you need to know what your plan of action is going to be."