Quebec braces for avian flu pandemic
http://www.mytelus.com/news/article.do?pageID=cbc/montreal_home&articleID=2193232
(CBC) - Health experts say businesses and individuals need to prepare themselves in case avian flu does become a pandemic.
Health Minister Philippe Couillard says Quebec is preparing for a possible pandemic of a new strain of human influenza.
If the pandemic were to strike, it would make for a "very, very difficult" situation for Quebec, not only for the health system, but also on the human, social and economic fronts, Couillard said.
Quebec would have to hire thousands of volunteers to replace stricken health-care workers, Couillard said.
He defends his press conference into the possible outbreak, saying he doesn't want to instill fear in people. It would be irresponsible for the government not to take the necessary precautions, Couillard said.
Dr. Karl Weiss, a microbiologist at Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital, advises people to stock up on food, water, and medicine in case they need to spend several weeks without leaving the house.
Businesses need to do their part as well, Weiss said.
"Corporations are also have to take some measures to make sure their employees are protected and they have to have contingency plans in case of a pandemic, how are they going to behave and what are they going to do," Weiss said. "Because SARS taught us in Toronto in 2003 that if you are not prepared you are going to end up having problems."
If and when the flu does strike here, people should look to their public health authority as to whether or not it is safe to go out of the house.
http://www.mytelus.com/news/article.do?pageID=cbc/montreal_home&articleID=2193232
(CBC) - Health experts say businesses and individuals need to prepare themselves in case avian flu does become a pandemic.
Health Minister Philippe Couillard says Quebec is preparing for a possible pandemic of a new strain of human influenza.
If the pandemic were to strike, it would make for a "very, very difficult" situation for Quebec, not only for the health system, but also on the human, social and economic fronts, Couillard said.
Quebec would have to hire thousands of volunteers to replace stricken health-care workers, Couillard said.
He defends his press conference into the possible outbreak, saying he doesn't want to instill fear in people. It would be irresponsible for the government not to take the necessary precautions, Couillard said.
Dr. Karl Weiss, a microbiologist at Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital, advises people to stock up on food, water, and medicine in case they need to spend several weeks without leaving the house.
Businesses need to do their part as well, Weiss said.
"Corporations are also have to take some measures to make sure their employees are protected and they have to have contingency plans in case of a pandemic, how are they going to behave and what are they going to do," Weiss said. "Because SARS taught us in Toronto in 2003 that if you are not prepared you are going to end up having problems."
If and when the flu does strike here, people should look to their public health authority as to whether or not it is safe to go out of the house.