Jennifer Mathews: Ready or not -- here it comes! What first started in chickens is now flying across borders.
Dr. David Bernstein: Is it going to happen? I don’t know. Is it enough that we should be prepared? Absolutely!
Jennifer Mathews: Dr. David Bernstein is working on a vaccine against the deadly avian flu. So far, there is nothing that will stop the spread of it.
Dr. David Bernstein: When it acquires that ability to go person to person to person, we have a big problem.
Jennifer Mathew: Right now, only a few people have come in contact with it, but that could change if the virus continues to change.
Dr. David Bernstein: Pandemic happens when it change so much nobody has resistance, and it’s going to spread rapidly.
Jennifer Mathews: So what can you do to prevent catching bird flu?
Dr. David Bernstein: Washing your hands and staying a good distance from people who are coughing and sneezing.
Jennifer Mathews: The government wants you to stock up on essentials sooner rather than later. A family of four should have at least 40 gallons of water on hand.
There’s a chance your water will be cut off if a pandemic strikes. You'll need enough canned food for 10 days. You should get an additional 10 days of prescription drugs and medications.
Dr. David Bernstein: Be prepared!
Jennifer Mathews: But don't be alarmed. Even though 150 million chickens have died from the disease, bird flu has only infected about 170 people worldwide.
Dr. David Bernstein: These viruses keeps knocking on the door, and it keeps knocking harder and harder, and eventually that door is going to open up.
Jennifer Mathews: So be prepared for what's on the other side, hopefully it will never get in. This is Jennifer Mathews reporting.
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