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Avian Flu: International Political Issues

by Alex Ryles, Elizabeth Daly, Julia Daly, Christina Thiry, Alex Baum

General Overview of International Plans:

            Overall it appears that many countries, other than the United States, have been preparing for the avian flu in a serious fashion. Many of the countries have spent bunches of money already on different programs to help research the flu and prepare for what these programs will need to do once the avian flu has changed from animals to humans. Also many countries have stopped trading with any infected areas and are prepared to close down boarders incase of an outbreak that may occur. Basically most of the countries are following the steps suggested by the World Health Organizations (WHO):

To prepare:

• Reduce any chance of humans becoming infected by supporting the FAO/OIE, make sure that more rural areas are aware of the influenza and how to prevent the influenza from spreading, and attempt to improve the way of detecting the virus.

• Increase surveillance so that there is a strong early warning system by increasing the detection of all human outbreaks.

• Have places in Asia where human outbreaks have occurred and people are willing to be looked at to help others understand the influenza.

• Support each other.

Once outbreak has occurred:

• Quarantine source to delay the spread.

• Have a stockpile ready for use (WHO already has started one).

• Have a way to deliver the antiviral drugs in a safe and efficient way to those infected.

• Be aware if the virus may have changed, and there is a need to a new antiviral drug.

The full report can be found at: http://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/influenza/WHO_CDS_CSR_GIP_05_8-EN.pdf

Australia:

The main points about Australia's Avian Flu Policy: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/publishing.nsf/Content/cda-cdna-pubs-flu_plan.htm/$FILE/flu_plan.pdf
 
Recommend reading the tables in the end - they actually say what the government is doing.

It seems that the Australian government's position on the possibility of a pandemic is well thought out and should work well in the event of an outbreak

What they have done to prepare:

• The surveillance (or all together closing) of all imports into the country and from countries that have been affected by the flu, to help prevent the flu from entering the country
• Destroying/quarantining all objects or persons believed to be infected
• Stockpiling antiviral vaccines.
• Informing the public of symptoms and actions/precautions taken if symptoms are exhibited.

What they are planning to do if an outbreak occurs:

• The government must maintain a level of public stability by informing the public with CORRECT information as to prevent mass hysteria and panic.
• Quarantine affected regions as to prevent the spread of the disease through out the country.
• Distribute vaccines to infected citizens, and those at high risk.
• Close schools and public areas to prevent spread of the disease.
• Prioritize the needs of patients in hospitals as to give care to those who need it the most.
  
   
  

The United Nations:

What they have done to prepare:

• Researched the disease.
• Educate the people.
• $2 million to research and training.
• Limit poultry trade.
• Change farming ways (more hygienic)- have the animals in less “close quarters” with people
• 26 million- (New Zealand)- spent on an anti-viral drug.

What they are planning to do:

• More money and time spent to stop transfer between birds- migration.
• Change habits of those living close to animals.
• Working to prepare countries for the outbreak.
• Working to create a vaccine and to create easy and quick manufacturing.
• More widespread information to people.

Canada:

Canada’s Pandemic Influenza Plan http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/cpip-pclcpi/index.html

What they have done to prepare:

• Stopped antiviral Tamiflu sales until flu season.
• Increase research for vaccines.
• Increase surveillance in:

            -Laboratories.

            -Those whom or items that are possibly effected.

            -Those whom report the influenza.

• Holding international meetings to make other more aware.
• Ending trade with Asian countries who could possible be infected
• Providing travel techniques to the public of ways to avoid becoming infecting
• Stressing the fact of not panicking.
• Creating a stockpile, National Emergency Stockpile System, for those whom may become infected.

What they are planning to do:

• Destroy anything infected (animals).
• Quarantine if infected.

China:

What they have done to prepare:

• Becoming slightly more open about their situation with avian flu in hopes to stop the virus as soon as possible.
• The government has been sending vaccinations to regions all over China that they hope will stop the spread within birds, however, their plan seems to not be all that effective and the vaccines may not do much.
• Closing all of its nature reserves to tourists hoping to keep them away from the birds that could be infected within the parks.
• Setting up 192 flu monitoring stations.

What they are planning to do:

• If there is a human to human spread within China of the virus, that they would close their borders.
• Quarantine.

International solution:

Internationally, a solution politically to the avian flu is all countries working together to find a cure before the avian flu spreads.  Also, countries should restrict trade from countries that have been infected by the avian flu. Countries that have had an outbreak occur should also quarantine the outbreaks. Countries also need to scan their l borders to see if the infection is spreading in imports from other places. For first aid purposes, blood donations should be made in case of infected people needing them, and the wealthier countries should help those countries unable to help themselves fund for necessary medicine. It is extremely important that all countries do not underestimate the flu; in fact, the influenza should be overestimate before the flu spreads. It is also important that the public should be provided with sufficient knowledge so that people are able to help themselves and others. In order to provide the public with enough information countries should create booklets in order to raise awareness and avoid panic before and/or during an outbreak. Tami flu should be distributed evenly to the public. But the most important job of all countries is to prioritize the avian flu.

International Bibliography

"Australian Action Plan for Pandemic Influenza." National Public Health Partnership Secretariat of the Australian Government. <http://www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/publishing.nsf/Content/cda-cdna-pubs-flu_plan.htm/$FILE/flu_plan.pdf" \t "_blank > (accessed 27 November 2005)

"China Confirms Two Human Cases of Bird Flu." 2005.

<http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10067023/> (accessed 29 November 2005).

Lu, Stacy. Checking for Influenza Among the Poultry. 2005.

<http://query.nytimes.com/gst/health/article-page.html?res=940CEFDC1631F934A15752C1A9639C8B63&n=Top%2fNews%2fHealth%2fDiseases%2c%20Conditions%2c%20and%20Health%20Topics%2fAvian%20Influenza> (accessed 29 November 2005).

Minister of Health, 2005, Avian Influenza (Bird Flu), [On-line].

<http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/iyh-vsv/diseases-maladies/avian-aviare_e.html> (accessed 22 Novemeber 2005).

Pan, Philip P. China Answers Bird Flu Critics. 2005. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp

-dyn/content/article/2005/10/28/AR2005102801961.html> (accessed 29 November 2005).

Public Health Agency of Canada, 2004, Canadian Pandemic Influenza Plan, [On-line].

<http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/cpip-pclcpi/index.html> (accessed 22 November 2005).

Reily, William. “United Press International.”            <http://www.upi.com/InternationalIntelligence/view.php?StoryID=20051104

-021458-8274r> (accessed 29 Novemeber 2005).

“Responding to the Avian Influenza Pandemic Threat: Recommended Strategic

Reactions.” World Health Organization. <http://www.who.int/csr/resources/publications/influenza/WHO_CDS_CSR_GIP_05_8-EN.pdf> (accessed 22 November 2005).

"Trying To Slam The Door On Bird Flu." 2005. <http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9773678/> (accessed 29 November 2005).

 “United Nations Backs Bird Flu Contro,”. Campaign International Information Programs. <http://ia.juniata.edu/citation/chicago_bib/chicago-online.htm>(accessed 29 November 2005).