Pandemic or Avian Flu Preparedness

p Despite the advances in science and technology , it is still evident that the world is obviously dominated by minute organisms such as bacteria microbes and viruses which can greatly alter the fate of all living organisms - humans included . These minute organisms especially viruses have the capacity and resilience to adapt to humans and defenses against it . Of the most recent concern among health organizations and the government is the outbreak of the influenza virus which is noted for its adaptability and resilience to defenses and the changes in its genetic make

up entail that vaccines must be developed in a yearly basis in to forecast which strains of the virus are likely to predominate Furthermore , cases of influenza have been identified as being the cause of death of 36 ,000 people and more than 200 ,000 hospitalizations each year . Thus , a pandemic or outbreak of the influenza virus might result in thousands of death as well as millions of hospitalization costs that will not only cripple the economy but the whole structure of society

As such , a new pandemic has threatened the whole world - the H5N1 avian flu virus . It has already infected birds in 16 countries and has resulted in the deaths , through illness and culling , of approximately 200 million birds across Asia . Among the features of this virus is its capacity to infect a wide range of hosts such as birds and humans . The virus is said to have already affected more than a hundred people in four different countries . Even if the virus has not shown an ability to transmit between humans efficiently , it is nevertheless likely that it will be able to acquire the capability to adapt and transmit among humans through genetic mutation . The pandemic flu does not recognize any sex , age or race to strike . Hence it is imperative that national governments as well as health organizations all over the world must act quickly to address this alarming event

In response to the threat of the pandemic or avian flu , the Bush administration has asked the US Congress for 7 .1 billion for emergency funding in to prepare the country for a possible pandemic outbreak . The administration has also launched National Biosurveillance Initiative to detect , quantify and respond to outbreaks of disease in humans and animals . Although there has not yet been any outbreak of the pandemic flu in the country , the national government nevertheless stressed that health officials must still be ready for this threat . On May 3 , 2006 , the Bush administration through Homeland Security Advisor Frances Townsend announced the Implementation Plan for the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza . Townsend discussed in detail the avian and pandemic flu and outlined the Federal Government 's preparedness and response steps to this health risk . The plan laid out more than 300 actions for federal departments and agencies

Furthermore , it also sets clear expectations for local and state governments as well as non-federal entities and agencies

Like other diseases , the solution to the threat...