Tracking the next pandemic: Avian Flu Talk |
Sick 2nd priority ..WHO chief Nabarro |
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Posted: January 28 2006 at 4:37pm |
Last Update: Sunday, January 29, 2006. 11:00am (AEDT)
UN envisages 'flu-caster' in bird flu fight The United Nations is considering using "flu-casters", modelled on television weather forecasters, to publicise vital information if a global flu pandemic strikes. They could broadcast latest developments from emergency-response facilities at the UN's World Health Organisation (WHO) in Geneva, according to David Nabarro, the UN's top influenza coordinator. "The flu-casters would draw out the maps and keep people engaged at regular intervals - beaming it from the WHO bunker," Mr Nabarro told Reuters in an interview at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The WHO's Geneva bunker, a $A6.6 million facility built in a former cinema, is the world's nerve-centre for tracking bird flu and other deadly diseases. The room will become a global command centre if the H5N1 bird flu virus, which has killed at least 83 people in Asia since 2003, mutates into a form which spreads easily among humans and sparks a flu pandemic which could kill millions. The screen-filled bunker could link the "flu-casters" with TV networks via satellite feeds. Mr Nabarro was speaking as the United Nations analysed results from a top-level catastrophe simulation to set policies that envisage governments, companies and the media working together to fight a global flu pandemic. The exercise has produced surprising conclusions that could prove key should the disease start to spread quickly among humans. Higher priority One of the most important conclusions was that maintaining infrastructure - water, power and the provision of food - could take a higher priority than providing care to the sick, Mr Nabarro told Reuters. "It is maybe even more important to concentrate on the essentials of life for those who are living than it is to focus on the treatment of those who are sick," he said. "We learned a lot." A pandemic could see travel and trade halted, workers forced to stay home, schools closed and a number of other dramatic measures designed to limit the spread. The UN aims to forge fixed partnerships with key actors who would be involved in any pandemic response effort, which would include community groups, aid groups like the Red Cross, businesses and the media, Mr Nabarro said. "The focus on business is important, they have skills and can do things that governments cannot," he said. Clear communications would also be crucial. The simulation assumed that the world was 40 days into the outbreak of a deadly pandemic. "What became clear to us was, if we don't work together effectively and get prepared, we will be badly hit by that pandemic," he said. The pandemic preparations will call for novel approaches if officials are to limit the potential catastrophic damage - such as the use of mobile phone technology to distribute questionnaires and information, Mr Nabarro said. Mr Nabarro also warned there was still a lot of work to be done in the event of an outbreak. "Governments are starting to realise that they are nowhere near prepared for the damage that it could cause," he said at a panel discussion. http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200601/s1557327.htm Edited by Rick |
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swankyc
V.I.P. Member Joined: January 11 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 314 |
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This was already posted. Edited by swankyc |
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I'm not afraid, I'm paranoid. Dont talk too loud, they are listening.
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Angel
Valued Member Joined: December 08 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 346 |
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Rick...he
must know this flu is so bad that there is no use worrying about the
people who have it because it is a lost cause. There is so much
about this flu that they are not allowing it to go public.
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Angel
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Angel,
I agree, the flu has the potential of being devastating, but you can take intelligent measures to help protect yourself, depending on your circumstances. If you don't do your homework, surviving a pandemic is like trying to cross a busy highway blindfolded. My family and friends mean too much to me to be written off as a lost cause, besides, I'm going to need them if this pandemic comes to pass, and I survive. There is valueable information in this blog and elsewhere. The truth is out there. Apologies to Chris Carter. Edited by Rick |
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Corn
Valued Member Joined: December 13 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1219 |
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"It is maybe even more important to concentrate on
Ah...........the plot thickens.........Yes the governments will save you....if you're healthy. You're worth more. |
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I guess we'll all be going to Darwin's School of Hard
Knocks and taking Survival of the Fittest 101# . Edited by Rick |
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