Here we are again. Another flu season, another vaccine shortage and another year we as society refuse to push policymakers to make progress toward better protecting the public.

So what makes this year different? For one, the avian flu scare continues to cause an epidemic of fear around the world. Even though no birds in North America have died (or probably even been infected) from this H5N1 avian influenza virus, the American public has been inundated with messages about the virus' 50 percent to 70 percent mortality rate, the globe's ill-preparedness in combating an H5N1 pandemic and the historical perspective of the 1918 pandemic.

If I were a bird, I would consider canceling my annual migration to avoid co-mingling with birds from Asia or Europe that might be infected. But at this point, I should worry more about washing my hands and protecting my family from the yearly flu season than a possible mutated H5N1.

There are two important messages that everyone needs to understand from this current avian flu scare:

FIRST, historical evidence shows that each year 36,000 Americans die from influenza. Individuals should take personal protective measures seriously, including handwashing, covering coughs, avoiding work and school and other public venues when ill, and of course, getting an annual flu vaccination.

Historical evidence also shows that a significant influenza epidemic or pandemic will happen eventually--maybe in the next year or two, maybe not for another decade or two. All public and private agencies must strengthen their abilities to prepare for and respond to such a disaster. President Bush recently announced an allocation of more than $7 billion to bolster federal efforts on this front. How much of this money will make it to the cash-strapped local and state agencies remains to be seen. Many public health jurisdictions, including all the counties in Southern California, have already begun enhancing their pandemic flu planning efforts.

SECOND, the current epidemic of fear reinforces the importance of individual responsibility and preparedness. As recent disasters typified, individuals should take personal planning to heart. While the next influenza pandemic may not strike for many years, Southern California has some type of disaster most years. Whether it is a mudslide, fire, flood or earthquake, we are vulnerable.

All individuals, families and businesses must consider their response to disasters. Questions such as, "Do we have enough food and water to be independent for three or more days?", "How do we plan for responding to disasters?" and "Where do we meet after an emergency?" are questions we should each be asking our employers, our families and ourselves. Personal and organizational preparedness should not be considered a waste of resources, but rather an essential part of management, be it personal responsibility or leadership of an organization.

While my bird-brained idea above of canceling my annual migration may seem absurd, the principle should not be lost in the humor. Should any particular flu virus become more efficient at human-to-human spread, the risk of a pandemic increases and the measures for prevention become significant. Even though our highly mobile and ever-productive society may dislike the concept of social distancing, serious attention must be paid to it. Keeping ill children home from school and avoiding close contact with ill co-workers are typical examples of social distancing. Other examples that may be needed are canceling public events, closing schools and limiting other large social events. Our society is not used to these measures. But during the 1918 epidemic, a parade in New York City was not canceled, possibly contributing to significant disease spread.

What avian H5N1 influenza becomes remains to be seen, but the reminder that personal prevention and societal protection are crucial should wake many of us up. So while many complain about the pandemic of panic going around, these uneasy feelings about potentially spreading disease may be the impetus many of us need to optimally protect ourselves, our families and society in general.

Eric Frykman, MD, MPH, is health officer of San Bernardino County Department of Public Health. He can be reached at 909/387-6218 or efrykman@dph.sbcounty.gov.