The current (May 2008) World Health Organization (WHO) phase of pandemic
alert for avian flu is 3 ("No or very limited human-to-human transmission") on a
scale of 1 to 6. For further information, see: the WHO Website on Avian Influenza
alert for avian flu is 3 ("No or very limited human-to-human transmission") on a
scale of 1 to 6. For further information, see: the WHO Website on Avian Influenza
For a helpful discussion of influenza in a family context, with a weblink
to proper hand-washing techniques, see the article from Laura Kahn of
Princeton University, Children: The Bioterrorists We Love
to proper hand-washing techniques, see the article from Laura Kahn of
Princeton University, Children: The Bioterrorists We Love
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For a challenging reflection on how confrontation with
avian flu challenges the depth of our altruism, see
John Cornwell's "On a wing and a prayer," in the 22
October 2005 The Tablet available free at:
http:www.thetablet.co.uk Then enter "avian flu" in
the search box on the left.
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The WHO has produced a clear explanation of why it will take from 28 to 52
weeks to produce an H5N1 Human Vaccine AFTER the precise strain of influenza
that is causing a pandemic has been clearly established. See the 19 November
2007 paper: A Description of the Process of Seasonal and H5N1 Influenza
Vaccine Virus Selection and Development
weeks to produce an H5N1 Human Vaccine AFTER the precise strain of influenza
that is causing a pandemic has been clearly established. See the 19 November
2007 paper: A Description of the Process of Seasonal and H5N1 Influenza
Vaccine Virus Selection and Development
For general health advice on how to deal with influenza, see the website
of the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA, at:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/bird-fluDS00566/DSECTION=all&MET
HOD=print&
of the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA, at:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/bird-fluDS00566/DSECTION=all&MET
HOD=print&
For risk management for families, organisations and communities, see the
extensive website of the risk management consultants, Peter M.
Sandman, PhD and Jody Lanard, MD, especially, "Superb Flu Pandemic
Risk Communication: A Role Model from Australia" at:
http://www.psandman.com/
extensive website of the risk management consultants, Peter M.
Sandman, PhD and Jody Lanard, MD, especially, "Superb Flu Pandemic
Risk Communication: A Role Model from Australia" at:
http://www.psandman.com/
Go to next page.
Media Sources
Then click on "role model for Australia".
See also the WHO Interim Protocol:
Rapid operations to contain the initial
emergence of pandemic influenza,
updated May 2007
Rapid operations to contain the initial
emergence of pandemic influenza,
updated May 2007
Computer Problems and Pandemic Flu
In the event of a pandemic, many people would work from home; and there
may be serious problem with overloading the internet. See especially the
articles, "Would the bird flu kill the internet, too?" (June 2006), "Heads in
the sand: IT [information technology] isn't ready for the bird flu" (January
2007) and "Flu pandemic could choke internet, requiring usage restrictions"
(February 2007). All of these articles (and future updates) are available
free by entering "bird flu" in the search box at the top right of the opening
page of the journal, Computerworld.
may be serious problem with overloading the internet. See especially the
articles, "Would the bird flu kill the internet, too?" (June 2006), "Heads in
the sand: IT [information technology] isn't ready for the bird flu" (January
2007) and "Flu pandemic could choke internet, requiring usage restrictions"
(February 2007). All of these articles (and future updates) are available
free by entering "bird flu" in the search box at the top right of the opening
page of the journal, Computerworld.
Risk Management
WHO
Personal Health Advice
Looking ahead to the probability of sustained human-to-human
transmission of H5N1 influenza at some unknown future date, Peter
Sandman and Jody Lanard have also posted (March 2007) a helpful
12-page analysis, "What to Say When a Pandemic Looks Imminent:
Messaging for WHO Phases Four and Five" on the same website
transmission of H5N1 influenza at some unknown future date, Peter
Sandman and Jody Lanard have also posted (March 2007) a helpful
12-page analysis, "What to Say When a Pandemic Looks Imminent:
Messaging for WHO Phases Four and Five" on the same website
NOTE THAT COMPUTERWORLD WARNS THAT A VIRUS IS CIRCULATING IN
UNSOLICITED E-MAIL ATTACHMENTS WITH HEADINGS SUCH AS "BIRD FLU"
OR "NORTH AMERICAN OUTBREAK." DO NOT OPEN ANY UNSOLICITED
E-MAIL ATTACHMENTS ON THIS TOPIC.
UNSOLICITED E-MAIL ATTACHMENTS WITH HEADINGS SUCH AS "BIRD FLU"
OR "NORTH AMERICAN OUTBREAK." DO NOT OPEN ANY UNSOLICITED
E-MAIL ATTACHMENTS ON THIS TOPIC.
For the 17 November 2007 Working Paper on "Patent issues related
to influenza virus and their genes: An overview," debated at the
Geneva Meeting 20-23 November, see the relevant WHO website.
to influenza virus and their genes: An overview," debated at the
Geneva Meeting 20-23 November, see the relevant WHO website.
For a full discussion of these complex issues, see the January
2008 magazine, Emerging Infectious Diseases, "Influenza Virus
Samples, International Law and Global Health Diplomacy" by
David P. Fidler
2008 magazine, Emerging Infectious Diseases, "Influenza Virus
Samples, International Law and Global Health Diplomacy" by
David P. Fidler
For a fascinating interactive video, predicting
what would happen in a global pandemic, see
Atlantic Storm. The conclusion is stark:
"International leaders cannot create the
necessary response systems in the midst of a
crisis. Medical, public health and diplomatic
response systems and critical medical
resources . . . must be in place before . . . a
pandemic occurs." See the After-Action Report
what would happen in a global pandemic, see
Atlantic Storm. The conclusion is stark:
"International leaders cannot create the
necessary response systems in the midst of a
crisis. Medical, public health and diplomatic
response systems and critical medical
resources . . . must be in place before . . . a
pandemic occurs." See the After-Action Report
World Health Issues
There is increasing evidence that one of the key causes of
the global spread of avian influenza is intensive poultry
production. See the website of Compassion in World Farming
which won the BBC Award in 2007 for Best Food
Campaigning, www.ciwf.org If you type "avian flu" into their
website a February 2007 report explains the issues.
There is increasing evidence that one of the key causes of
the global spread of avian influenza is intensive poultry
production. See the website of Compassion in World Farming
which won the BBC Award in 2007 for Best Food
Campaigning, www.ciwf.org If you type "avian flu" into their
website a February 2007 report explains the issues.
A 26 March 2008 study co-ordinated by the Food and Agriculture Organisation's
Jan Slingenbergh has found that the interaction between wild ducks, people and
rice cultivation significantly influences the spread of the H5N1 virus. See the
FAO press release
Jan Slingenbergh has found that the interaction between wild ducks, people and
rice cultivation significantly influences the spread of the H5N1 virus. See the
FAO press release
or alternatively the full article in PNAS