Bird flu pandemic inevitable, says EU
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http://www.breakingnews.ie/2006/07/07/story266734.html
07/07/2006 - 11:45:42
European Union experts today said a global influenza pandemic that could kill millions remains inevitable, although the immediate threat to human health from bird flu in Europe remained low.
“It’s when and not if,” Robert Madelin, director general of the EU’s Health and Consumer Protection department, said in Brussels.
Madelin cited scientists’ predictions suggesting a pandemic could kill 2-7 million people worldwide, 10 times the death rate from regular flu.
However, he warned forecasting was very difficult and current predictions could be “wildly wrong”.
The head of the EU’s centre for disease control said efforts to contain outbreaks of the deadly H5N1 strain among domestic poultry in Europe had been successful.
“H5N1 is a very low risk to public health in the European Union,” said Zsuzsanna Jakab.
http://www.breakingnews.ie/2006/07/07/story266734.html
07/07/2006 - 11:45:42
European Union experts today said a global influenza pandemic that could kill millions remains inevitable, although the immediate threat to human health from bird flu in Europe remained low.
“It’s when and not if,” Robert Madelin, director general of the EU’s Health and Consumer Protection department, said in Brussels.
Madelin cited scientists’ predictions suggesting a pandemic could kill 2-7 million people worldwide, 10 times the death rate from regular flu.
However, he warned forecasting was very difficult and current predictions could be “wildly wrong”.
The head of the EU’s centre for disease control said efforts to contain outbreaks of the deadly H5N1 strain among domestic poultry in Europe had been successful.
“H5N1 is a very low risk to public health in the European Union,” said Zsuzsanna Jakab.
bad journalism.
the headline says: "bird flu pandemic inevitable", but then it continues
to say that _a_ pandemic is inevitable (not necessarily bird flu).
The "when and not if" probably also refers to any pandemic.
The 2-7 million deaths figure is old stuff and was carelessly
emitted last year from a WHO person. It was later modified and
almost retracted.
Zsuzsanna Jakob probably meant that the current risk to public
health is small, excluding the pandemic risk.
| Eurobarometer on Avian Flu |
| Elina Miaouli, 7/7/2006,14:23 |
The Commission has published today a special Eurobarometer survey on avian influenza. The objective of the survey was to determine citizens’ level of knowledge regarding the health risks linked to avian influenza, their level of knowledge of policies aimed at fighting the spread of the virus, and the impact of avian influenza outbreaks on their consumption of poultry products. Around 25,000 respondents were interviewed across Europe between 27 March and 1 May 2006. The poll covered the 25 EU Member States and the Turkish Cypriot Community, two acceding countries (Bulgaria and Romania) and two candidate countries (Croatia and Turkey). According to the survey most Europeans are well informed about the risks relating to avian flu, and broadly trust national and EU public authorities in their efforts to prevent and contain avian flu. Respondents displayed a very good awareness that if humans touch infected birds they can be infected (74%): this shows that basic public health messages have largely got through to the general public. Respondents also displayed a good awareness that EU legislation exists which sets out measures to be taken in case of an outbreak, a very good awareness (77%) of the requirement to confine poultry indoors in risk areas, and of import restrictions (78%) from third countries affected by avian flu. However, the survey reveals that a significant percentage of Europeans remain unsure about certain basic facts about avian flu. For example, 28% do not know that avian flu cannot be transmitted through properly cooked eggs and poultry meat. Most EU citizens replied that they had not reduced their consumption of poultry products, and those that did indicated they had done so only as a precaution. Markos Kyprianou, the European Commissioner responsible for Health and Consumer Protection, said: “While it is natural that citizens are concerned about avian flu, they need not be unduly alarmed. This survey suggests that a significant proportion of Europeans still have misconceptions about the nature and effects of the virus, and we still have work to do to communicate efficiently in this area. As we prepare for a possible resurgence of avian influenza this autumn, our challenge is to redouble our efforts to explain to European citizens what the real risks are, and to act decisively without causing unnecessary alarm.” Further information: Eurobarometer 257 on Avian Flu (http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/index_en.htm) More information about this subject can be found on the Industry and Consumers (http://www.businessupdated.com/subcats.asp?cid=20&cat=09.+Industry+and+Consumers) section of BusinessUpdated.com. http://www.businessupdated.com/shownews.asp?news_id=1546&cat=Eurobarometer+on+Avian+Flu |
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