Daily HealthBeat Tip

Just in case

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I'm Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

We've been hearing about the possibility a dangerous worldwide flu could develop from a strain of bird flu first seen in Asia. The avian flu virus does not spread easily among people. But governments around the world are working on preparedness in case it mutates to a strain that does.

Meanwhile, what should people do?

HHS Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health Wanda Jones fits pandemic preparedness into being ready for emergencies in general:

"We think this has to be so complicated, but truly it doesn't. And it helps us no matter whether the disaster is manmade or completely natural and out of our control." (10 seconds)

Jones, who's responsible for women's health programs, says women can help to get their families prepared. This includes stockpiling several days of emergency household supplies and agreeing on a meeting place if everyone must leave home.

Learn more at www.hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I'm Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: December 22, 2005

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