The bird flu and the talk of a potential pandemic can certainly get some people a little nervous. But the effects of a pandemic can be lessened if preparations are made ahead of time.

Infectious Disease Specialist Michael Lutarewych says that remember that right now the avian flu-or bird flu is not being spread from person to person. It's being spread from animal to human. So why all the talk of a world-wide flu epidemic if it's only currently spread through bird populations in the Middle East and Europe? "It's anticipated that with the migratory patterns of birds that by next fall we'll be seeing bird populations in the continental United States that are going to be carrying this influenza virus."

Dr. Lutarewych also says that part of the preparation is anticipating the possibility that the virus will then mutate and become capable of spreading from person to person. "It starts quickly and it's characterized by cough, fever, generally muscle aches, progressing fairly rapidly to respiratory difficulties."

The Florida Department Of Health has prepared a plan for protecting the citizens of our state in the event there is an actual pandemic. Local hospitals are doing the same. Chief Nursing Officer Cindy Boily says "We've got a solid plan in place, we've identified the key leaders in our organization. We have a draft plan to guide the decisions, we have our command center in place."

Dr. Lutarewych adds that there is a significant chance that this virus will not mutate and produce this type of pandemic scenario. "But we have to be prepared for this type of possibility because by doing so, it could actually save lives and protect the community."

And traveling to areas where human cases of the bird flu have been reported does not put you at an elevated risk of infection unless direct and un-protected exposure to infected birds occurs.

There are currently no vaccines on the market to combat avian influenza. Two antiviral medications are used to treat the symptoms, but their effectiveness is uncertain.