US prepares for possible bird flu pandemic
The Pentagon is investigating whether to use US federal troops to enforce a quarantine if there’s an outbreak of pandemic bird flu in this country, say several news reports.
Meanwhile, some areas that are known as tourism hot spots such as Hawaii are preparing their own plans.
As many as 2,400 people could die in Hawaii if the world was gripped by even a “mid-level pandemic flu,” said a Trust for America’s Health Report issued last June. That would be three times more lethal than the most recent flu pandemic in 1968.
“Though the possibilities of such a catastrophic pandemic are remote, state health officials are planning and preparing for that kind of doomsday scenario — especially in light of new fears about avian flu,” write the Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
State health officials have drafted a plan that could be approved by the end of the year.
Officials are also setting up a procedure for testing for the flu.
Avian flu in its present form is not easily transmitted between humans. But with a pandemic, the transformation could allow the disease to more easily attack humans.
Hawaii is particularly susceptible to any outbreak in part because of the many flights coming here daily from Asia.
“Even though a flu outbreak in the islands could spread fast, state health officials contend it could also be contained quickly, primarily with isolation and quarantine,” the newspaper said.
Meanwhile, at the federal level, President George Bush has said he would consider using the military for some type of quarantine if there is an outbreak of the flu.
The H5N1 avian influence virus has killed millions of birds and possibly 100 people in Asia.
An issue that could face the US government in event of an outbreak is whether or how to contain parts of the country to prevent the spread of the disease, wrote Reuters.
National Guard troops are another option. While they are under control of state governors, President Bush has said he might place them under federal authority in case of an emergency.
Report by David Wilkening
David
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