sharon sanders
Editor-in-Chief & President
Bird Flu Pandemic
You might be surprised to know the United States is overdue for a major flu pandemic.
Remember the bird flu? You probably haven't heard much about it lately.
But local scientists say the deadly virus could come back with a vengeance.
Fox 17's John Dunn explains why.
There's not much talk about bird flu on the streets these days.
Nolan Shenai says, "I think at this point the buzz had died down."
Paul Green says, "It's just not something you think about everyday."
Katherine rogers says she never thought about it.
Just like mad cow disease and sars, most Tennesseans have lost track of the virus.
Caroline Banta says, "It really hasn't been on my personal radar too much."
But that's not the case at the State Department of Health.
Dr. David Kirschke, Deputy State Epidemiologist says, "Uh, basically daily we've been planning for this."
So far bird flu has primarily affected countries in Asia and Europe, but many experts agree it has the potential to become a worldwide pandemic.
"It is definitely set up and has potential to turn into a pandemic, and that has people still concerned", said Kirschke.
That's why the state is developing a pandemic flu response plan.
The 205 page report covers hundreds of topics, even the need to stockpile body bags in the event of an outbreak.
Dr. Kirschke says, "We can't predict exactly when it's gonna happen and we can't predict how severe it's going to be when it happens, but we know that it will happen again."
The state is now working with local hospitals on pandemic flu plans.
Vanderbilt Medical Center has had three separate exercises.
They know a bird flu outbreak could cause a lot of problems.
Pam Hoffner, with Vanderbilt Medical Center says, "At the same time you're getting a huge influx of patients you also have up to 40% of your workforce out."
The state estimates a severe pandemic would affect about 1/3 of Tennessee's population, and could cause more than 38-thousand deaths.
They can only hope a well thought out plan will help.
Dr. Kirschke says, "We are planning for the worse case scenario, meanwhile hoping that it will be less severe when it does occur."
John Dunn, Fox 17 News.
The state is also stockpiling medications in the event of a pandemic.
It already has several hundred thousand doses of Tamiflu on hand.
http://www.wztv.com/newsroom/top_stories/vid_1534.shtml
You might be surprised to know the United States is overdue for a major flu pandemic.
Remember the bird flu? You probably haven't heard much about it lately.
But local scientists say the deadly virus could come back with a vengeance.
Fox 17's John Dunn explains why.
There's not much talk about bird flu on the streets these days.
Nolan Shenai says, "I think at this point the buzz had died down."
Paul Green says, "It's just not something you think about everyday."
Katherine rogers says she never thought about it.
Just like mad cow disease and sars, most Tennesseans have lost track of the virus.
Caroline Banta says, "It really hasn't been on my personal radar too much."
But that's not the case at the State Department of Health.
Dr. David Kirschke, Deputy State Epidemiologist says, "Uh, basically daily we've been planning for this."
So far bird flu has primarily affected countries in Asia and Europe, but many experts agree it has the potential to become a worldwide pandemic.
"It is definitely set up and has potential to turn into a pandemic, and that has people still concerned", said Kirschke.
That's why the state is developing a pandemic flu response plan.
The 205 page report covers hundreds of topics, even the need to stockpile body bags in the event of an outbreak.
Dr. Kirschke says, "We can't predict exactly when it's gonna happen and we can't predict how severe it's going to be when it happens, but we know that it will happen again."
The state is now working with local hospitals on pandemic flu plans.
Vanderbilt Medical Center has had three separate exercises.
They know a bird flu outbreak could cause a lot of problems.
Pam Hoffner, with Vanderbilt Medical Center says, "At the same time you're getting a huge influx of patients you also have up to 40% of your workforce out."
The state estimates a severe pandemic would affect about 1/3 of Tennessee's population, and could cause more than 38-thousand deaths.
They can only hope a well thought out plan will help.
Dr. Kirschke says, "We are planning for the worse case scenario, meanwhile hoping that it will be less severe when it does occur."
John Dunn, Fox 17 News.
The state is also stockpiling medications in the event of a pandemic.
It already has several hundred thousand doses of Tamiflu on hand.
http://www.wztv.com/newsroom/top_stories/vid_1534.shtml