Bird flu quarantines

by **zjurhgvc** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 11:20 am

<a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060321/pl_nm/birdflu_states_dc">news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060..._states_dc</a> This article is terrifying. Does it really say that local communities will be quarantined--as in Outbreak--if bird flu is detected? I mean, without the necessary 'evolution' to make it a P2P threat? Or are they just talking about quarantining the chickens? Maybe we'll find out what V was meant to prepare us for/inoculate us against... Eyeing bird flu's path, US states ready defenses By Karen Pierog Tue Mar 21, 2:43 PM ET CHICAGO (Reuters) - From Hawaii to New Hampshire, states are beginning to struggle with the prospect of bird flu arriving in the United States by considering measures ranging from mandatory quarantines to extra cash for hospitals. Pandemic-related legislation has been introduced, though generally not yet enacted, in at least 13 states, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, with money a key ingredient in some of the measures. The efforts tend to go beyond a federal government initiative that is pouring millions of dollars into the states for pandemic planning, accompanied by state-by-state preparedness meetings. The H5N1 avian influenza re-emerged in 2003, and in recent months has spread out of east Asia, across central and South Asia and into Europe and Africa. U.S. Interior Secretary Gale Norton said on Monday that it was increasingly likely bird flu would be detected in the United States as early as this year. Bird flu does not yet easily infect humans but occasionally does, and has killed about 100 people. Doctors fear it could evolve into a form easily passed from person to person, sparking a pandemic. Ohio Gov. Bob Taft says he believes U.S. states in general are on their way to being prepared as much as many overseas governments are. He said in an interview that states need to make sure local governments are prepared to handle quarantines and isolation since they will be the initial front line in the fight. Taft said Ohio has already toughened laws on quarantines, is working on a contingency plan to keep state government running "at low strength," and will hold a number of regional summits to make sure local health agencies are aware and ready to cooperate. SCIENTIFIC STUDY In Hawaii, Gov. Linda Lingle's request for a $15 million appropriation was winding its way through the Legislature. Dr. Paul Effler, the state's epidemiologist, said the money would enable the state to obtain antiviral drugs, develop a system to evaluate and treat thousands of people, buy personal protective equipment, and provide food and services. Another bill in Hawaii calls for a scientific study on how to control the H5N1 virus if it infects the state's feral chickens, the NCSL said. Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney last month asked his state's Legislature for $36.5 million in supplemental spending. The funds would be used to build a network of volunteer medical providers, enhance hospital capacity, upgrade state laboratories and build stockpiles of medications, food and supplies. The Oklahoma House last week passed a measure allowing appropriate authorities in that state to issue quarantines. "This will now allow authorities to take the same preventive and security measures to protect Oklahoma citizens against serious health threats that they currently take against nuclear, chemical and bioterrorist attacks," state Rep. Daniel Sullivan, the bill's sponsor, said in a statement. "This is a precautionary action that will stop diseases like the bird flu from becoming an uncontrollable threat to the citizens of this state and of the nation," he added. A New Hampshire bill would allow state officials to ration and prioritize certain medications in the event of a shortage during a pandemic. Rhode Island lawmakers were eyeing a commission to study the impact of a viral pandemic on primary and secondary schools.

Bird flu quarantines

Bird flu quarantines

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