US citizens in HK told to stockpile for [poss] bird flu outbreak

[Theresa42]

Hat-tip, plainsman!

US citizens in HK told to stockpile for bird flu outbreak
Nov 7, 2006

Hong Kong (dpa) - US citizens in Hong Kong have been advised to build a three-month stockpile of food, medicine and water in their homes in case of a bird flu pandemic, a news report said Tuesday.

An advisory has been sent out to all 60,000 registered US citizens in the former British colony urging them to prepare the stockpiles ahead of the coming winter flu season.

It suggests stockpiling 4.5 litres of water per person per day and to prepare water purification equipment in case of ''complete infrastructure breakdown,'' the South China Morning Post reported.

The advisory also suggests they stock up on non-perishable foods, soap, alcohol-based hand wash, medicines, vitamins, flashlights and a portable radio, the newspaper said.

Six people died and 12 others were infected in the first modern outbreak of bird flu to jump the species barrier and attack humans in Hong Kong in 1997.

Since then, however, the city of 6.8 million has built up sophisticated safeguards against the virus and avoided further human cases despite a spate of regional outbreaks.

Hong Kong has carried out mass culls of birds and ducks when cases have been detected among poultry and birds imported from mainland China are screened for the virus.

Scientists believe bird flu may cause deaths on a global scale greater than the Spanish Flu of 1918 which killed up to 40 million if the virus mutates to jump from human to human.

http://www.mb.com.ph/MAIN2006110779051.html

 

[Theresa42]

Re: US citizens in HK told to stockpile for [poss] bird flu outbreak

American Citizens Services Newsletter

Pandemic Influenza -- Preparing for Possible Shelter-In-Place
U.S. Consulate General for Hong Kong and Macau

November 3, 2006

The U.S. Department of State recently sent a cable to all diplomatic and consular posts entitled "Pandemic Influenza: Preparing for Possible Shelter-In-Place". The cable's main intent was to provide guidance to all staff regarding "shelter-in-place". That is, in the event of severe pandemic influenza with high morbidity, the public may be advised to self-quarantine. Therefore, current guidance notes that families should be prepared to "shelter-in-place" for up to twelve weeks, and maintain sufficient food and water supplies to accommodate that entire period....

http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/ci_avian_2006110301.html

 

[Theresa42]

Re: US citizens in HK told to stockpile for [poss] bird flu outbreak

Also in the Bangkok Post (Breaking News) now:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=114048

Hat-tip, SoccerMom!

 

[Treyfish]

US Citizens in HK told to stockpile - DISCUSSION

US Citizens in HK told to stockpile - DISCUSSION

original thread where discussion started
http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12559

American Citizens Services Newsletter

Pandemic Influenza -- Preparing for Possible Shelter-In-Place
U.S. Consulate General for Hong Kong and Macau

November 3, 2006

The U.S. Department of State recently sent a cable to all diplomatic and consular posts entitled "Pandemic Influenza: Preparing for Possible Shelter-In-Place". The cable's main intent was to provide guidance to all staff regarding "shelter-in-place". That is, in the event of severe pandemic influenza with high morbidity, the public may be advised to self-quarantine. Therefore, current guidance notes that families should be prepared to "shelter-in-place" for up to twelve weeks, and maintain sufficient food and water supplies to accommodate that entire period....

http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/ci_a...006110301.html

I would think it would be on our news soon ,and then people will see 3 months instead of 2 weeks.

.

 

[4-ABBA]

Re: US citizens in HK told to stockpile for [poss] bird flu outbreak

Can anyone explain why US citizens in Hong Kong are being told to stock 3 months of supplies--but CDC is telling stateside citizens to have ....."one week" of food set aside?

 

[Treyfish]

Re: US citizens in HK told to stockpile for [poss] bird flu outbreak

That is a good question.I bet this will get a few people moving around.The state dept must have known this would be breaking news.

 

[Siam]

Re: US citizens in HK told to stockpile for [poss] bird flu outbreak

http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/health/health_1181.html
Posted by Bluesky on p4p

I checked out the State Department travel site. THey do have a warning page on H5N1 (along with other hazards http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/health/health_1185.html )

A couple of interesting quotes.

The vast majority of the reported human cases have resulted from direct contact with H5N1-infected poultry. Although there is evidence to suggest very limited, human-to-human transmission in family groups involving close exposure to a critically ill member, there is no evidence that the virus can be easily or sustainably transmitted from human-to-human. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(DHHS/CDC), the WHO, and the Department of State are nonetheless concerned about the potential for the virus to adapt or mutate into a strain that can be easily transmitted in a sustained manner among humans, a characteristic that could result in a human influenza pandemic, and are working closely with other partners to prepare for the possibility of pandemic influenza.

U.S. embassies and consulates do not have supplies of this drug for use by private American citizens abroad. The Department of State has pre-positioned supplies of the drug Tamiflu at its embassies and consulates worldwide, for eligible U.S. Government employees and their families serving abroad. Americans should also be aware of the potential health risk posed by counterfeit drugs, including those represented as Tamiflu, by scam artists who sell products on the internet or in countries with lax regulations governing the production and distribution of pharmaceuticals.

In addition, the Department of State has asked its embassies and consulates to consider preparedness measures that take into consideration the fact that travel into or out of a country may not be possible, safe, or medically advisable during a pandemic. Guidance on how private citizens can prepare to shelter in place, including stocking food, water, and medical supplies, is available at the www.pandemicflu.gov website. Embassy stocks cannot be made available to private American citizens abroad and we encourage people living in an area with outbreaks of H5N1 to prepare appropriately.

It is also likely that governments will respond to a pandemic by imposing public health measures that restrict domestic and international movement, further limiting the U.S. government's ability to assist Americans in these countries. These measures can be implemented very quickly. Areas of known H5N1 outbreaks in poultry have been quarantined by governments within 24 hours, restricting (if not preventing) movement into and out of the affected area.

 

[Treyfish]

Re: US citizens in HK told to stockpile for [poss] bird flu outbreak

I bet a few people will try and split VERY soon.

 

[Niko]

Re: US citizens in HK told to stockpile for [poss] bird flu outbreak

Can anyone explain why US citizens in Hong Kong are being told to stock 3 months of supplies--but CDC is telling stateside citizens to have ....."one week" of food set aside?

Nope

 

[Niko]

Re: US citizens in HK told to stockpile for [poss] bird flu outbreak

http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/health/health_1181.html

It is also likely that governments will respond to a pandemic by imposing public health measures that restrict domestic and international movement, further limiting the U.S. government's ability to assist Americans in these countries. These measures can be implemented very quickly. Areas of known H5N1 outbreaks in poultry have been quarantined by governments within 24 hours, restricting (if not preventing) movement into and out of the affected area.

Also likely the US government will do the same on US soil. Why the different advice given to those abroad? Over and over again US federal officials have indicated that the federal government would be limited in their ability to provide help during a pandemic.

 

[Jonesie]

Re: US Citizens in HK told to stockpile - DISCUSSION

Re: US Citizens in HK told to stockpile - DISCUSSION

American Citizens Services Newsletter

Pandemic Influenza -- Preparing for Possible Shelter-In-Place
U.S. Consulate General for Hong Kong and Macau

November 3, 2006

The U.S. Department of State recently sent a cable to all diplomatic and consular posts entitled "Pandemic Influenza: Preparing for Possible Shelter-In-Place". The cable's main intent was to provide guidance to all staff regarding "shelter-in-place". That is, in the event of severe pandemic influenza with high morbidity, the public may be advised to self-quarantine. Therefore, current guidance notes that families should be prepared to "shelter-in-place" for up to twelve weeks, and maintain sufficient food and water supplies to accommodate that entire period.

Just as in the United States, U.S. government employees and their families overseas have primary responsibility for maintaining adequate supplies of food to shelter-in-place. This also applies to private U.S. citizens. For the long term, families are advised to store foods that are non-perishable, do not require refrigeration, or preparation (including the use of water), or cooking. The cable also advises that families should store one gallon of water per person per day.

Potable Water

Please note that at this time, Hong Kong's water supply is potable. In the event of complete infrastructure breakdown, water supply that is currently potable in some areas or countries may not remain so. However, water can be purified in several ways. Boiling is a reliable method for killing microbes and parasites. Bring water to a rolling boil and continue boiling for at least ten minutes. Also, regular Clorox Bleach isn't just a laundry-aid, it's a lifesaver (use only regular Clorox bleach, not Fresh Scent or Lemon Fresh). In an emergency, one gallon of Regular Clorox Bleach purifies 3,800 gallons of drinking water. First, let water stand until particles settle. Filter the particles if necessary with layers of cloth, coffee filters, or fine paper towels. Pour the clear water into an uncontaminated container and add Regular Clorox Bleach per the below indicated ratio, mix well, and wait 30 minutes. Water should have a slight bleach odor.

Ratio of Clorox Bleach to Water for Purification:

2 drops of Regular Clorox Bleach per quart of water
8 drops of Regular Clorox Bleach per gallon of water
1/2 teaspoon Regular Clorox Bleach per five gallons of water If water is cloudy, double the recommended dosages of Clorox Bleach.

To insure that Clorox Bleach is at its full strength, rotate or replace your storage bottle every three months. Also, don't forget to sanitize the water storage containers. To sanitize containers and utensils, mix one tablespoon of Regular Clorox Bleach with one gallon of water, creating a Sanitizing Solution. Always wash and rinse the items first, then let each item soak in Clorox Bleach Sanitizing Solution for two minutes. Drain and air dry.

Please remember that water in dehumidifiers is also potable, but be sure to sanitize the dehumidifier water container.


=========================================================
Your link to the above article is not working.
Try this one:

http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/ci_avian_2006110301.html

 

[Vibrant62]

Re: US Citizens in HK told to stockpile - DISCUSSION

Re: US Citizens in HK told to stockpile - DISCUSSION

I read that this is a case of, we wont be able to get you additional stocks of Tamiflu if what is stationed at the Embassies is insufficient. The implication is that US govt wont be considering pulling their staff out - and that therefore they need to go into a self imposed isolation/ self quarantine for 3 months (probable duration of a wave).

 

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: US Citizens in HK told to stockpile - DISCUSSION

Re: US Citizens in HK told to stockpile - DISCUSSION

If the number of international news agencies picking up this story is any indicator, the suggested 3 month supply is being well disseminated.

I'd hate to be an American living in HK during a pandemic - now everyone will assume you have 3 months of food!

.

 

[hawkeye]

Re: US Citizens in HK told to stockpile - DISCUSSION

Re: US Citizens in HK told to stockpile - DISCUSSION

Jonesie-
Thank you for posting. What is really interesting is that this newsletter is providing instruction not just mentioning the issue(s). It would have been very easy to just say..."be aware of the possibility of contaminated water", but instead they have decided to address the subject head on. If I was residing in HK and received this article it would definitely get me thinking.

Lets hope the US citizens act responsibly without panic, thus showing the government that such information releases can be valuable and not just cause panic.

Does anyone know how regularly these newsletters are sent out with this type of information?

-hawkeye

Also, it seems the post of the news letter left off some information at the bottom of the Newsletter:

Emergency Supply List

The U.S. Government's "one-stop" web site on avian influenza, www.PandemicFlu.gov, provides a sample list of foodstuffs and other emergency supplies for stocking:

Examples of food and non-perishables:

Ready-to-eat canned meats, fish, fruits, vegetables, beans and soups Protein or fruit bars Dry cereal or granola Peanut butter or nuts Dried fruit Crackers Canned juices Bottled water Canned or jarred baby food and formula Pet food

Examples of medical, health and emergency supplies:

Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood-pressure monitoring equipment Soap and/or alcohol-based (60% - 95%) hand wash Medicines for fever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen Thermometer Anti-diarrhea medication Vitamins Fluids with electrolytes Cleansing agents Flashlight Batteries Portable radio Manual can opener Garbage bags Tissues, toilet paper

To better help plan for "shelter-in-place", all U.S. citizens are encouraged to refer to the www.PandemicFlu.gov website, as well as the World Health Organization website (www.who.int/en/). Please also visit the U.S. Consulate General website for further information: Avian Flu.

We will continue to distribute and share pertinent information on Influenza Pandemic Preparedness as we receive it.

American Citizens Services Newsletter

Pandemic Influenza -- Preparing for Possible Shelter-In-Place
U.S. Consulate General for Hong Kong and Macau

November 3, 2006

 

[Siam]

Re: US Citizens in HK told to stockpile - DISCUSSION

Re: US Citizens in HK told to stockpile - DISCUSSION

I think things must be bad on the front lines, for this to come out. I hope WHO has something to say shortly,

 

[GaudiaRay]

Re: US Citizens in HK told to stockpile - DISCUSSION

Re: US Citizens in HK told to stockpile - DISCUSSION

Slightly off topic, the US Red Cross reps I spoke with at the National Safety Council Convention in San Diego, California, said THE RED CROSS IN THE USA IS DOING NOTHING ON A NATIONAL BASIS ... ONLY LOCAL AFFILIATES HAVE SCHEDULED AND HELD TRAININGS. Those were done in West Virginia and one other state.

The message here is that the State Dept is taking action to inform and instruct. The US Red Cross has done nothing other than post a small amount of information on its website.

NB. The US Red Cross is not pursuing this topic with the same level of attention as the US Government is addressing this topic. The NGO on which the US populace will turn will have done nothing and has done noting, should the pandemic occur at this time.

 

[myredchinablues]

Re: US Citizens in HK told to stockpile - DISCUSSION

Re: US Citizens in HK told to stockpile - DISCUSSION

Beijing embassay has not posted this as of yet. Their site does and has always said that there will be NO Tamiflu for American citizens, only for their staff.

 

[Vibrant62]

Re: US Citizens in HK told to stockpile - DISCUSSION

Re: US Citizens in HK told to stockpile - DISCUSSION

I think things must be bad on the front lines, for this to come out. I hope WHO has something to say shortly,

How long before the name of the new DG is announced?

 

[hawkeye]

Re: US Citizens in HK told to stockpile - DISCUSSION

Re: US Citizens in HK told to stockpile - DISCUSSION

This is a bit confusing.

US citizens told to stockpile for bird flu outbreak
Hong Kong, Nov 7 (DPA) US citizens in Hong Kong have been advised to build a three-month stockpile of food, medicine and water in their homes in case of a bird flu pandemic, a news report said Tuesday.

An advisory has been sent out to all 60,000 registered US citizens in the former British colony urging them to prepare the stockpiles ahead of the coming winter flu season.

It suggests stockpiling 4.5 litres of water per person per day and to prepare water purification equipment in case of "complete infrastructure breakdown", the South China Morning Post reported.

The advisory also suggests they stock up on non-perishable foods, soap, alcohol-based hand wash, medicines, vitamins, flashlights and a portable radio, the newspaper said.

Six people died and 12 others were infected in the first modern outbreak of bird flu that attacked humans in Hong Kong in 1997.

Since then, however, the city of 6.8 million has built up sophisticated safeguards against the virus and avoided further human cases despite a spate of regional outbreaks.

Scientists believe bird flu may cause deaths on a global scale greater than the Spanish Flu of 1918, which killed up to 40 million if the virus mutates to jump from human to human.

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: US citizens in HK told to stockpile for [poss] bird flu outbreak

Thanks Plainsman and SoccerMom.