Florida Avian Influenza Plan contrasted with UK response

[Thornton]

With H5N1 confirmed on a poultry farm today in the UK, I find it a useful exercise to consider 'what if..." such an event occurred in the USA (Florida). How does our response plan compare with what we observe in UK ?

Based on the details listed below we can surmise that in the US
1. We would have to confront that it is a significant public health event
2. Reassure the public that the procedures are planned to protect the public health and to monitor closely.
3. The observed UK minimization of risk may backfire in a risk communication sense.
It will be very useful to get the UK plan and follow the actual response.
JT

H5N1 confirmed in UK
http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?p=62821#post62821
and

http://www.promedmail.org/pls/prome..._BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1000,36177

There is no reason for public health concern. Avian Influenza is a disease of birds and whilst it can pass very rarely and with difficulty, to humans this requires extremely close contact with infected birds, particularly faeces.

The Health Protection Agency has advised that, despite this incident, the
current level of risk to humans from H5N1 remains extremely low.

"Any possibility of exposure is taken very seriously and the Health
Protection Agency has worked closely with Defra and local NHS to ensure
that all the necessary actions are being taken to protect those people on
the farm who may have been exposed to the virus."

Now refer to the October 2006 Florida Plan
http://www.doh.state.fl.us/rw_Bulletins/FlPanFluv104Final.pdf
Appendix 5 Zoonotic Avian Influenza Surveillance and Response Protocol
page 56 -26 page appendix begins
page 63 - Surveillance Data Collection and Dissemination
page 64 - Wild Bird Carcass Protocol
(Useful for readers to compare with various reports of bird die-offs in USA).
page 65 - guidelines for workers handling animals
page 66 (page 10 of the 26 page Appendix hints at possibility of prophylactic medications
pages 71 - 79; Animal/ Environmental Exposure Investigation Form
JT