Flu pandemic panel faces inattentive public

[ruthbeme]

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By NASEEM SOWTI
nsowti@muncie.gannett.com

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MUNCIE -- While the federal government is certain that an avian flu pandemic will happen, local officials are worried that people are not taking the threat seriously.
The flu pandemic panel of the local Red Cross chapter reconvened for the second month in a row on Tuesday to discuss its mission and role before and during the possible flu pandemic. <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 align=left border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=ad align=middle>

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<SCRIPT language=JavaScript> OAS_AD('ArticleFlex_1'); </SCRIPT> </TD><TD width=10></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>"Information dissemination" was the keyword of the evening, and representatives from the Red Cross, Muncie Community Schools, Ball Memorial Foundation and local faith-based groups spent more than an hour talking about various outlets they could use to distribute informative brochures and materials to the public.

Avian influenza, or "bird flu," is a contagious disease of animals caused by viruses that normally infect only birds and, less commonly, pigs, according the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Avian influenza viruses are highly species-specific, but have, on rare occasions, crossed the species barrier to infect humans.
The main concern among health officials is that the virus -- if given enough opportunities -- will change into a form that is highly infectious for humans and spread easily from person to person. Such a change could mark the start of a global outbreak (a pandemic).
But so far, there is no record of that change, and there have only been 141 human deaths from avian flu since 2003, according to the World Health Organization.
Meanwhile, the general population has become less and less sensitive to the issue.
"You have to work hard to get people's attention," said Kelly Stanley, president of BMH Foundation. "You have to create some real interest for people to pay attention and let them know that (a flu pandemic) is going to happen."
Julie Hankins, director of emergency services at the Red Cross agreed, saying that the federal government is "confident that a flu pandemic is going to happen." She added that she would meet with officials from the Homeland Security Department and the National Guard later this year to further discuss preparation plans for a possible flu pandemic.
So, while officials have to stress that there is no need to panic, they also have to ask people to take the matter seriously.
"I've seen how quickly a disaster can happen, and I'm convinced of the (flu pandemic's) seriousness," Hankins said.
Brian Fern, director of community support at the Red Cross, is in the process of finalizing an informative brochure, which lays out details about prevention and preparation for the possibility of a flu pandemic.
The local Red Cross has also planned training sessions involving community leaders and churches in hopes of creating more awareness about disaster preparations.
Contact news reporter Naseem Sowti at 213-5829.
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[Commonground]

Re: Flu pandemic panel faces inattentive public

Ruthbeme - Thanks for this article. I think this is the problem. Either it's "going to happen" or it's "possible". What is it??? The Government has to be more specific -

"Julie Hankins, director of emergency services at the Red Cross agreed, saying that the federal government is "confident that a flu pandemic is going to happen." She added that she would meet with officials from the Homeland Security Department and the National Guard later this year to further discuss preparation plans for a possible flu pandemic."

 

[ruthbeme]

Re: Flu pandemic panel faces inattentive public

This type of talk is causing complacency in many communities. I realize no one can predict the future but the consequences of the community not being prepared could be devastating.

 

[hawkeye]

Re: Flu pandemic panel faces inattentive public

IMO: I think ultimately, politicians feel that they have to be luke-warm so that they can claim "victory" or say that they were "right." They just feel its too much of a risk to "cry wolf" if the pandemic doesn't happen.

 

[Goju]

Re: Flu pandemic panel faces inattentive public

H5N1 is predicting it's future.

This type of talk is causing complacency in many communities. I realize no one can predict the future but the consequences of the community not being prepared could be devastating.

 

[ruthbeme]

Re: Flu pandemic panel faces inattentive public

I believe you are correct Hawkeye. Politics has always been a profession with a fear of moving off the fence. So they tell people to prepare so if it happens they can tell you "I told you to prepare." but on the other had if it doesn't happen they don't have to look as if they were wrong either. No one really wants to take a stand on something that dose not have a concrete answer to it. It's like some politicians are telling people to have a one week supply. As we know this will do little in a true pandemic, but this way they will be able to say they ask you to prepare. However they will not have to hear the economic discussion on preparation.