The Avian Flu Part I

For several weeks now I've been thinking about the Avian Flu, otherwise known as 5HN1.

I've been thinking about what I will do if it hits the United States. As the parent of two young children and a little dog who thinks she's a "people," I worry about my kids getting sick. I also worry about what would happen if my husband or I get sick, or worse -- who would be left to take care of everyone?

And what about my friends and extended family living in Germany and other parts of Europe?

These are not good thoughts to be having. They remind me too much of the days after 9/11 when I was living in metro Washington D.C., all of us afraid because no one knew if another attack was imminent.

And then living through the D.C. anthrax scare, when many people, myself included, opened our mail with rubber gloves and masks on because we didn't know if our mail was contaminated.

I've realized that it's the uncertainty, the lack of control, that's difficult to deal with.

So I've decided to do something about that. I'm going to keep track of what's being reported about the avian flu. I'm going to create a "preparedness plan" for my family. I'm not going to sit by idly and do nothing.

Silviu Docia of Avian Flu -- What we need to know and Thomas Crampton of the International Herald Tribune ask whether blogs can be a new way to track disease. On a larger scale the question is whether blogs can be a part of the solution. I say yes.

Blogs and bloggers, if we act responsibly and intelligently, have an unprecedented ability to help out, probably in more ways than we even realize.

Here are some important news links on H5N1:

• FluWire.com
• Bird Flu - Topix.net
• Avian Flu -- What we need to know (blog)
• H5N1 (blog)
• The Coming Influenza Pandemic? (blog)
• Flu Wiki (wiki) (via Avian Flu Watch)
• Zap*Germs (blog about "the battle between Man and germs")

Here are some links to health information resources and other practical information:

• PandemicFlu.gov (the official U.S. government web site about the pandemic flu and avian influenza), with downloadable Pandemic Flu Planning Checklist for Individuals and Families and a Family Emergency Health Information Sheet
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• World Health Organization ( Regional Office for South-East Asia)

Comments

[Sam Smith]

I think you're probably right, blogs can be part of the solution but do you think there's also the potential for blogs to spread unnecessary panic or false information?

[Serge Cornelus]

Does this mean blogs are now officially a part of the phenomenon commonly called viral marketing?

[Andrea Weckerle]

Sam,

Yes, I think there's a definite risk that blogs will spread false information. That's why I'm hoping that people will read the health resources I've listed on this and my other avian flu post.

Serge,

All joking aside, I believe that any misinformation posted on one blog can easily spread to another, potentially causing great panic. I therefore hope that anyone blogging about the avian flu will do their best to make sure the information is accurate, or at a minimum, state that the information or story can't be verified and is still developing.

[Serge Cornelus]

Dear Andrea, you are of course right about the fact we should take avian flu seriously. And you are certainly right that blogs/posts about the avian flu had better spread correct information. On the other hand, I feel it's not really the task of any 'normal' citizen - who does not have the right degree and/or knowledge - to start spreading info about scientifically complicated matters, especially when they concern public health. The risk of making mistakes is simply too high, and the risk of causing panic too. I am not saying that people should not be allowed to testify about their experiences with certain health problems, the possible solutions they have come across, etcetera. The essence of blogging and social media is exactly that information, journalism etcetera become available to the masses. But this evolution has of course drawbacks as well. Public health is an entirely different matter than personal opinions and/or experiences. So I am glad you have added some sites where to find reliable info, and I am glad you admit that it should be stated when info might be still developing. Nevertheless, I agree most of all with your phrase: "Blogs and bloggers, if we act responsibly and intelligently, we have an unprecedented ability to help out, probably in more ways that we even realize." But only in this respect: know what you know and, more importantly, know what you do not know. I think that the only responsible and intelligent thing to do here, is keep our hands and blogs off this matter. Leave it to the people who know what they are doing and talking about. Maybe I'm being European about this (the X-files is after all an American product ;-) ), but let the authorities do their work on this. It is difficult enough as it is without them having to monitor the blogosphere if there are no nitwits (I know you aren't, but I am sure there are a lot of them out there) spreading false info and thus panic. The net is already full of unreliable sources, let's not add any. And when talking about health and illness: the number of hypochondriacs performing self-diagnosis on the net is big enough as it is too. When in doubt: just go see the doctor. And a final word on your fear: I respect it and understand it. But let's not all overreact. As a child I was constantly afraid of dying. When I heard a plane, I thought there was a war going on. When I had a headache, I thought of a brain tumor. And so on. My mum did not suffer from Munchhausen by proxy, but she took my complaints very seriously. Too seriously sometimes, if you understand what I am sauing. Let's not raise our kids in constant fear. I know it's better to be safe than sorry, but why not start worrying when the time is right? Let's enjoy life (while we still can ;-) ) and have a little faith. Oh: and I still think it was a good joke... :-D.

[Andrea Weckerle]

Serge, you make several good points.

The reason I'm discussing the avian flu is because H5N1 absolutely will be written about in blogs as more cases are uncovered (as of yet fortunately transmitted animal-to-human and not human-to-human).

I agree that "it's not really the task of any 'normal' citizen - who does not have the right degree and/or knowledge - to start spreading info about scientifically complicated matters, especially when they concern public health," unless it's done by accurately repeating what the health authorities have stated.

On the other hand, as I wrote about in my next post, I believe there is a role for bloggers that doesn't interfere with what the health authorities are doing.