Bracing For A Flu Pandemic
June 5, 2007 by Flu Pandemic News
Filed under Flu Pandemic - Top News Stories
It’s not a matter of if, experts say, but when. No one knows which virus will trigger it, but preparation is essential.
“The threat of an influenza pandemic is, at present, one of the most significant public health issues our nation and world faces.” — Dr. Andrew C. von Eschenback, commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, April 2007
“We know that a pandemic will eventually occur. We always say it’s not a question of if; it’s a question of when.” — Dr. Julie Gerberding, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, April 2007
A year ago, concerns about pandemic flu were running high, with the threat of an outbreak making newspaper headlines and television newscasts. Now the specter of this threat has largely faded from the public mind as if the risk has passed. But public health experts remain as concerned as ever about the possibility of an outbreak.
Vietnam Reports Fresh Bird Flu Cases
June 5, 2007 by Flu Pandemic News
Filed under Flu Pandemic - Top News Stories
Bird flu spread to three duck farms in Vietnam’s central and southern regions last week, killing more than 300 waterfowl, the government said on Monday.
Two duck farms in the southern Mekong delta province of Dong Thap lost 224 ducks last Friday, while 95 ducks died in the central province of Quang Nam on Thursday.
Tests confirmed they had the H5N1 virus, the Animal Health Department said.
The two provinces had reported outbreaks among ducks last month and are in the government’s watch list comprising 14 provinces and Can Tho city where bird flu has re-surfaced among poultry since early May.
On Saturday Vietnam reported its second human case of the virus in less tham a month, after a year and a half with no new human cases. Both victims were in hospital in stable condition, officials said.