Why we’re bird flu-free

At least 45 people recently died in Southeast Asia of avian influenza, better known – or dreaded – as bird flu. Indonesia lost billions because of bird flu. Bird flu cases have been reported in Thailand, Hong Kong, and China. In 1997, the first time the avian flu virus infected humans, Hong Kong slaughtered 1.4 million chickens.

What about the Philippines?

Our spirits soar (free as a bird?) as we hear this pronouncement: "We’re bird flu-free."

"And that’s because Filipinos seem to have a stronger immune system, " says Dr. Carmencita Yap, president of the Philippine College for the Advancement in Medicine Foundation Inc. "Thanks to our consumption of virgin coconut oil, as Dr. Conrado Dayrit noted."

Yes, our chickens are healthy. "In fact, some countries in Asia are buying our chickens," Dr. Yap notes.

No, there has been no case of human-to-human transmission. "You can only get bird flu from eating infected chicken or poultry," Dr. Yap tells us. "It has not mutated to a new virus subtype, and spread from one person to another (yes, like the human influenza virus)."

Symptoms of bird flu include persistent high fever, sore throat, cough, and conjunctivitis in some people. Causes of death range from severe viral pneumonia to respiratory distress syndrome and multi-organ failure.

In view of bird flu, the World Health Organization gives these life-saving tips for those who are traveling to another country, especially to the rural areas:

• Avoid contact with chickens, ducks or other poultry unless absolutely necessary.

• Children are at high risk if they play where poultry are found. Teach your children these basic guidelines:

1) Avoid contact with any birds, their feathers, feces, or other waste.

2) Wash hands with soap and water after any contact.

3) Do not sleep near poultry.

• Do not transport live or dead chickens, ducks or other poultry from one place to another even if you think the birds are healthy.

• Do not prepare poultry from affected areas as food for your family or animals.

• If you unintentionally come into contact with poultry that could be infected, wash your hands well with soap and water after each contact; remove shoes outside the house and clean them of dirt; and check your temperature for seven days at least once daily. If you develop a high fever, visit a doctor or the nearest healthcare facility immediately.

Creating a stir at the 4th National Conference on Alternative and Natural Medicine held recently was a device that supposedly stimulates the immune system to fight viruses. Called the Bio-Lyfe immune booster, it claims to protect against HIV, bird flu, and other viruses.

According to its flyer:

It’s still not known if antiviral medicines and vaccines will work against the H5N1(bird flu) virus. This virus could quickly become resistant to available drugs, which are quite costly and in limited supply. There can be toxic side effects.

The World Health Organization and the Centre for Disease Control believe there is a very serious threat of a pandemic in which millions with weak immune systems could die of the bird flu virus.

Electrotherapy is a proven method of safely boosting the immune system inexpensively with no risk of toxic side effects whatsoever. The immune booster has been used recently to treat HIV/AIDS with remarkable success. Clinical trials were carried out recently by scientists. Data from the original pathology tests are available. The immune booster is expected to also protect against the bird flu virus through maximizing the immune system. It will be available by early December 2005.

For inquiries, log on to info@biolyfe.com or call Professor Noel Campbell at +61412994001 or e-mail him at noel@smile..org.au.

Now, you don’t have to chicken out at the mere mention of the words bird flu.

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Food savvy

To repeat an oft-repeated adage, "Better safe than sorry (or sore). And so, the Food Inspection Agency in Canada has these safety tips to share with those toting hot food to work:

• Heat dishes like soups, chili, and stews above 140 degrees.

• Use an insulated container to store hot foods, and keep it closed until lunchtime.

• Preheat the insulated container by filling it with boiling water. Let it stand for a few minutes, pour out the water, and add the hot food right away.

Meanwhile, don’t touch that cheese or bread that has grown mold. Don’t just cut the moldy part and eat the rest that looks okay. According to the US Department of Agriculture, "mold can grow where you can’t see it, especially in high-moisture or porous foods."

So next time you see mold on foods – bread, soft cheeses, grain, meat, fruits, vegetables, dairy products – don’t even think twice about throwing out the entire package.

Except perhaps for hard cheese. If you see mold on hard cheese, simply cut off one inch around all sides of the mold, taking care to keep the knife away from the mold to avoid contamination. Also, don’t forget to throw away the old wrap in which the infected cheese, in this case, was stored.

And do keep these tips forever stored in your memory.

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