US bird flu plan seeks to slow pandemic By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Correspondent
36 minutes ago
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Americans should prepare for travel restrictions and school closures if an influenza pandemic hits, but such measures can only temporarily slow the inevitable spread of disease, the government's new flu plan says.
The White House influenza plan released on Wednesday builds on an earlier plan to combat a potential pandemic of H5N1 avian influenza, including preparations to build a stockpile of vaccines and drugs, already under way, and work to develop newer and better vaccines.
As before, it assumes that 30 percent of the population would be infected, and that anywhere between 200,000 and 1.9 million would die, depending on how deadly the virus turns out to be.
The H5N1 avian flu virus has spread out of Asia, across Europe and into many parts of Africa.
Although the disease is still confined largely to birds, it has killed 113 people out of a recorded 205 infections since late 2003 and experts fear it will trigger the next pandemic once it becomes able to transmit efficiently among people.
As much as 40 percent of the workforce will be out during two-week-long peaks as people become sick or stay home to care for children, ill relatives or to protect themselves from infection.
"In terms of its scope, the impact of a severe pandemic may be more comparable to that of a war or a widespread economic crisis than a hurricane, earthquake or act of terrorism," the report reads.
If the pandemic hits the United States, the report lays out some specific actions while acknowledging there is still a shortage of vaccines, drugs and other supplies. The government will "deploy 'containment stockpile', if available, to any domestic region with confirmed or suspected cases of pandemic influenza," the report reads.
LIMITING TRAVEL
It does not give specifics on who would get vaccinated first or who would be the first to get scarce antiviral drugs.
Some Democrats immediately attacked the plan.
"A flu plan that doesn't say how to distribute vaccine is about as useful as a hurricane plan that doesn't say how to rescue people from a flood," Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy said.
President George W. Bush, whose approval ratings have been sagging, has been under pressure to show his administration can deal with a catastrophe in the United States after being widely criticized for responding slowly to Hurricane Katrina last year.
The federal government's plan would "limit non-essential passenger travel in affected areas and institute protective measures/social distancing and support continued delivery of essential goods and services," the report reads.
"Measures at our borders may provide an opportunity to slow the spread of a pandemic to and within the United States, but are unlikely to prevent it," it adds.
The sheer volume of traffic, as well as diplomatic, social and economic considerations, would also make it difficult to close borders.
The federal government will also issue guidance to people on what they can do to protect themselves from flu. This includes basic handwashing, covering the mouth when sneezing or coughing, and staying at least three feet (one meter) away from others during a pandemic.
"Measures to limit domestic travel may delay the spread of disease," the report adds. "These restrictions could include a range of options, such as reductions in non-essential travel, and, as a last resort, mandatory restrictions."
But the report adds that while such measures might buy time, they are unlikely to reduce the number of people who get sick or reduce the overall effects on a community.
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