Consider how you would conduct your life if a pandemic flu outbreak occurred. The following could potentially occur and may help you to better deal with a pandemic.

National borders may close. Individual states, counties, and cities may choose to close borders, as well. This action could stop the importation and distribution of foods and material goods. Other material goods affected may be: prescription drugs, fuel, clothes, and other commodities. If your business utilizes "just in time manufacturing" (JIT) how will the business react to unreliable supply chains?

Business may lose 25% or more of their workers due to illness and death. Federal, state, and utility jobs will also experience the same level of absenteeism. Consider this in terms of your needs for treated water, electricity, sewage and garbage services, law enforcement aid, and emergency response.

The 1918 "Spanish Flu" killed 3% of the people it infected, which is estimated to have been between 50-100 million people. The Spanish Flu killed more people than World War I. The present avain influenza H5N1 has infected over 300 people and killed 63% of the people infected.

Healthy adults may be more affected during an outbreak of H5N1. Death primarily stems an exaggerated immune response. Young, healthy adults tend to have stronger immune systems which are capable of reacting to an infection in a stronger manner. The exaggerated immune response is called a Cytokine storm. Many H5N1 patients die from acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) that is caused by the Cytokine storm. The H5N1 virus does not directly kill the patient, rather the patient's immune system turns on them by first destroying the lungs. With the lungs destroyed, oxygen is unable to reach the body's organs. Multi-system organ failure ultimately leads to death.

The influenza virus is transmitted by droplets produced during coughing or sneezing. Direct and indirect contact with the droplets can infect people. Surfaces contaminated with influenza can be touched then delivered inadvertantly to the eyes, nose, and mouth causing infection.