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Influenza threat needs planning from authorities
By: The Enterprise
11/27/2007
Updated 11/27/2007 12:34:09 PM CST
As Southeast Texans enter one of the most joyous times of year - that hectic span between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day - an unwelcome guest is again threatening to ruin the festivities. Some authorities are worried about the possibility of an outbreak of avian flu, a disease that already has ravaged other parts of the world.Right now no one knows if the flu season, like a hurricane season, will be severe or light. The prudent thing for state and federal authorities to do is to be prepared for bad news with a sufficient supply of antiviral medication.
That should seem obvious, but it isn't always. In some years, state and federal officials have failed to ensure that the nation has enough of this medicine - or the right kind.
This year, at least, the outlook is a little better. Some antivirals have been set aside, at least enough to respond to the start of an epidemic.
Health care providers in Southeast Texas have to make sure they are ready for this challenge. Now is the time to review supplies, training, staff schedules and the like to make sure they can respond effectively.
This country has been spared from an exceptionally bad flu season for several years. As with hurricanes, that good fortune won't hold forever.
Eventually, a pandemic will occur. When it does, doctors, hospitals and public safety officials have to be ready to save all the lives they can.
http://www.southeasttexaslive.com/si...d=512562&rfi=6
By: The Enterprise
11/27/2007
Updated 11/27/2007 12:34:09 PM CST
As Southeast Texans enter one of the most joyous times of year - that hectic span between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day - an unwelcome guest is again threatening to ruin the festivities. Some authorities are worried about the possibility of an outbreak of avian flu, a disease that already has ravaged other parts of the world.Right now no one knows if the flu season, like a hurricane season, will be severe or light. The prudent thing for state and federal authorities to do is to be prepared for bad news with a sufficient supply of antiviral medication.
That should seem obvious, but it isn't always. In some years, state and federal officials have failed to ensure that the nation has enough of this medicine - or the right kind.
This year, at least, the outlook is a little better. Some antivirals have been set aside, at least enough to respond to the start of an epidemic.
Health care providers in Southeast Texas have to make sure they are ready for this challenge. Now is the time to review supplies, training, staff schedules and the like to make sure they can respond effectively.
This country has been spared from an exceptionally bad flu season for several years. As with hurricanes, that good fortune won't hold forever.
Eventually, a pandemic will occur. When it does, doctors, hospitals and public safety officials have to be ready to save all the lives they can.
http://www.southeasttexaslive.com/si...d=512562&rfi=6
