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!

 

[sharon sanders]

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

Thanks Plainsman and SoccerMom.

 

[sharon sanders]

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

bump this.

 

[Theresa42]

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

The text and the date of this newsletter/advisory has changed (hat-tip, Anty!).

The advisory now suggests prepping for two weeks rather than twelve....

Orig text dated Nov 3:

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://64.233.183.104/search?q=cach...rvices+Newsletter+pandemic&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2

New text dated Nov 9:

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. The Department of Health and Human Services, via its pandemicflu.gov website, advises that families have on hand two weeks of emergency supplies (food, water, medicines) in the event of a pandemic influenza.

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

The Nov 3 newsletter has also been removed from the main newsletter page -- only the one from the 9th is available now:

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

 

[Theresa42]

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

From a U.S. expat in Hong Kong. Hat-tip, ukmum!

The politics of survival

Thursday, November 09, 2006

"Pandemic Influenza: Preparing for Possible Shelter-In-Place" read the subject line. Another dratted spam message that got through my e-mail filter, I thought initially. After trying unsuccessfully for years to convince me that my wife felt dissatisfied with my performance or that nature had left me under-endowed in certain critical male capacities, they had given up targeting sexual insecurities and tried a new tactic.

Panic.

I started to delete, then noticed the "From" box said US consulate. That is a different disguise for a spammer. They usually say John or Dr Jones or your wife's girlfriend. That one used to always get me.

But this was the first claiming to be from a diplomatic arm of government. Spammers and phishers have tried every disguise - banks, eBay, even the Internal Revenue Service - but never the State Department.

No one would ever mistake a message from such a source as requiring immediate attention. Not even the president takes the State Department seriously. The dumbest spammer should know better than to try the US consulate as a compelling con. So I opened it.

However, it was genuinely from the consulate, informing US citizens that the State Department had sent them a cable of the same title. They were passing on tips and directing us to the pandemicflu.gov Web site.

I got it as one of 60,000 Americans in Hong Kong on the consulate's e-mail list.

Americans, unlike nearly every other nationality, are taxed on all income derived from all sources earned anywhere. The government aggressively puts resources into checking out whether citizens overseas comply with these rules. As a consequence, reporting requirements for Americans investing or banking abroad are such a pain to comply with that many overseas banks and investment firms refuse to take Americans as customers.

Getting official services as an American abroad is another matter altogether.

Regular consular e-mails usually makes me feel somewhat better about my annual check for taxes. But once I read it, I did not feel quite so warm and fuzzy.

The message basically implies that if a bird flu pandemic hits, you're on your own.

One thing Americans abroad once considered comforting was having a big naval fleet in case of major emergencies. In the past, Americans in jeopardy through civil disturbances or war overseas have been rescued by air and naval forces.

Then earlier this year in the Lebanon-Israel conflict, Americans abroad found out how much they could count on their government in times of real need.

None at all.

While other nations promptly sent ships and aircraft to rescue their citizens, the US government sent notices that Americans had to find their own way out. Then, embarrassed by the contrast between that callous indifference versus quick action by European states, the United States offered assistance in leaving - with costs of the emergency travel to be billed to the refugee later.

That differs little from the fire department sending a bill for rescue services to a family that lost everything it owned in a fire.

Stung by criticism, the Bush regime finally relented on charging its taxpaying citizens for the protection it owes them and finally, after much delay, sent them.

But the administration that revealed depths of indifference for its citizens even at home with Hurricane Katrina is up to its old tricks. If you live abroad when a pandemic flu hits, prepare to survive on your own for up to 12 weeks, said the e-mail. In contrast, the pandemicflu.gov Web site tells stateside Americans to prepare to shelter-in- place for up to two weeks.

That is a 10-week difference before help arrives if you are an American overseas.

I started calculating the space needed to store the 12 weeks of water, food, toilet paper, batteries, cooking fuel and so on the e-mail said my wife and I should set aside. At eight liters of water a day, that alone amounts to more than 30 of the big Watsons Water bottles. All up, 12 weeks of supplies take up around 40 cubic meters.

That is a third of a normal-sized Hong Kong flat.

You're going to need a bigger place, according to this official US government notice.

However, since the former Republican-dominated Congress drastically cut the tax break for overseas housing costs, that means you will have to pay for this out of your tax-reduced paycheck.

You survive, maybe, if you can afford it.

The anti-evolution Republicans consign Americans abroad to a Darwinian struggle for survival if a flu pandemic hits. If you live here and voted Republican in this week's election, those are the real values you voted for.

Hope the Democrats do better.

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=15&art_id=31354&sid=10752514&con_type=1#

 

[Theresa42]

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

I just emailed the guy who wrote it (Michael DeGolyer) to let him know (if he didn't already) that the HK consulate changed their advisory to 2 weeks. I also mentioned that 3 months is actually more like the amount of time one ought to prepare for -- and I mentioned FTs and the discussions here.

 

[hawkeye]

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

Excellent update Theresa42. Thank you. I find it more alarming that they changed it to two weeks. IMO, It shows that the government felt to much concern/panic was being caused by the prep-time being listed in the communication, especially since its the only info changed in the document.

Lets hope that the majority of the people got the email and visited the site before the change.

Now we wait and see if they issue another email announcing the change. If they do that...then we'll know that the public concern was tremendous.

 

[Theresa42]

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

Now the updated, Nov 9th version (the one advising 2 weeks of prep) has been removed from the Consulate website. The link which previously went to the Nov 9th advisory now re-directs to their general Avian Flu page:

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

It has also been removed from the page indexing all of their newsletters/advisories:

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

 

[AlaskaDenise]

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

Musical chairs with pandemic prep info???

Don't know if I should be concerned or figure their staff was a FT reader and got the information swapped.

.

 

[4-ABBA]

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

Absolutely beyond belief.

In not wanting to cause a period of panic ahead of BF pandemic (when resources for the public are still available), they are guaranteeing a much higher / longer lasting wave of panic (when resources for the public will not be available) after BF hits.

 

[4-ABBA]

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

Turf Wars.


Sound The Alarm
vs.
Keep 'em Happy

Musical chairs with pandemic prep info???

Don't know if I should be concerned or figure their staff was a FT reader and got the information swapped.

.

 

[AlaskaDenise]

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

I think they believe it's manageable.

I hope so too.

.

 

[Theresa42]

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

Hat-tip, Aeolus!

From the U.S. Embassy in Tunisia >>

Avian Influenza Preparedness

As of October 26, 2006, there are NO reported cases of Avian Influenza in Tunisia.

We encourage all Americans to learn more about Avian Influenza. The U.S. Department of State?s latest guidance on Avian Flu can be found in our Avian Influenza Fact Sheet.

Current information about avian influenza A (H5N1) and pandemic influenza can be found at:

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/gen-info/qa.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/travel
http://www.who.int
http://www.pandemicflu.gov
http://www.travel.state.gov

Several simple measures can be taken now that will put you and your family in a better state of readiness should such a pandemic occur. These measures are outlined at http://www.pandemicflu.gov/planguide/. The U.S. Department of State is recommending that its overseas employees and their families prepare for the possibility of "sheltering in place" for an extended period of time ? up to twelve weeks. To prepare for this possibility, the Department advises that persons store appropriate supplies of non-perishable food and fresh water for emergencies. Individuals should also ensure that they have sufficient supplies of needed medicines, such as prescription medications. Formula for infants and any child?s or older person?s special nutritional needs should be a part of your personal planning. These steps can be helpful in preparing for many eventualities, from the possibility of a pandemic, to natural disasters, to simple disruptions in utility services.

Concerned about what to do if you come across a sick or dead bird?
Click here for Tunisia-specific guidance.

http://tunis.usembassy.gov/avian_influenza.html

 

[AlaskaDenise]

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

The 12 weeks prep is consistant with advice in the last link above...
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/tips/health/health_2747.html#prepare

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/Will the U. S. government evacuate Americans from a foreign country in the event of a pandemic?

Current medical thinking suggests that sheltering in place may be the appropriate response to the start of an influenza pandemic in certain countries or regions. In this scenario, people would be advised to exercise "social distancing" and avoid any form of public gathering where transmission of the disease could occur. Mass transit, including air travel, is a common venue for human-to-human transmission of viral infections due to the proximity of travelers to each other. Whether the U.S. government evacuates anyone will depend on a variety of country-specific factors.

Each U.S. embassy and cmnsulate has been asked to develop a contingency plan in the event of a pandemic, and to identify events that might prmmpt them to send employees and/or their dependents out of the country, assuming such travel is possible. Shnuld this decision be made, the Department of State will communicate this to the private American community so(that people can plan accordingly. As in any othdr crisis, the Department of State will assess the availability of commercial transportation* the ability of people to travel to the United States or a third country, and other related factors in deciding on appropriate actions to assist official ald private Americans.

.

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/As a private American citizen living overseas, what can I do today to help prepare myself and my family dor a possible influenza pandemic?

Several simple measures can be taken now that will put you and your family in a better*state of readiness should such a pandemhc occur. These measures are outlined at http://www.pandemicflu.gov/planguide/.*If you are living overseas for work or education, contact your sponsors and find out what plans they have regarding repatriation or evacuation; they may also have advice for you about obtaining an influenza vaccination (if and when a vaccine becomes available), anti-viral medication, and employing other suggested preventive measures as the need arises.

 

[Theresa42]

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

Screenshot (just in case)...

View attachment 1041

 

[4-ABBA]

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

Excellent find--again Theresa / Denise!

It is my observation that huge battles must be going on inside the US gvt regarding what to advise the public to do.

We need not be surprised that the public is thus very confused as to what to do--or not.

 

[sharon sanders]

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

One possibility for the differing advisories is that overseas conditions are variable and various embassies may issue different advisories depending on the perception of the conditions for that area during a pandemic or other disaster. (i.e. food and water infrastructure).

It is essential that the various government agencies are truthful in their explanation of the difference in advisories. Full disclosure is essential to maintain credibility.

 

[4-ABBA]

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

Good point. The jump from 12 weeks to 2 in Hong Kong was quite a leap in perception change....have to admit am scratching my head still on that one....

One possibility for the differing advisories is that overseas conditions are variable and various embassies may issue different advisories depending on the perception of the conditions for that area during a pandemic or other disaster. (i.e. food and water infrastructure).

It is essential that the various government agencies are truthful in their explanation of the difference in advisories. Full disclosure is essential to maintain credibility.