Bird Flu
Avian flu is an issue of importance to Alaska, the Nation and
the world. President Bush, Congress and numerous Federal agencies
are aware of this threat and are working hard to prevent a pandemic.
The State of Alaska is also working closely with Federal agencies
and other countries to ensure maximum influenza pandemic preparedness.
Recently, President Bush outlined the national strategy to safeguard
against the danger of pandemic influenza. He requested $7.1 billion
in emergency funding to begin immediately implementing the national
strategy. The request would provide specific agency funding for
preparations in Alaska:
• $7.39 million for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to increase
its field monitoring for avian influenza, allowing FWS to collect
an estimated 6,000 sample in Alaska and 5,000 samples in the
Pacific and the North American Pacific and Central flyways.
• $3.76 million for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
for additional surveys, investigations, and research to detect
avian influenza in wild birds with early detection activities
focused in Alaska and coastal areas.
• $525,000 to go to the National Park Service (NPS) as
a part of an interagency effort to detect avian influenza in
wild birds, which would enable the NPS to coordinate surveillance
and monitoring of wild birds within national parks in Alaska
and other areas at risk.
It is important to note that there have been no cases of avian
flu detected in Alaska or anywhere else in the U.S., but we should
still be prepared for a worst case scenario.
The FWS, USGS, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the University
of Alaska, and public health agencies have formed a partnership
to conduct surveillance of wild birds in Alaska. The Alaska surveillance
efforts are integrated with avian flu detection programs throughout
the Lower 48 and Canada.
President Bush has also announced a new international partnership
on avian and pandemic influenza. This global surveillance and
preparedness network will help detect and respond quickly to any
outbreaks of disease. The partnership requires countries that
face an outbreak to immediately share information and provide
samples to the World Health Organization. Already, 88 countries
and nine international organizations have joined the effort.
Besides early detection, the Federal Government is also focused
on stockpiling vaccines, antiviral medications and accelerating
the development of new vaccine technologies. Researchers at the
National Institutes of Health (NIH) have developed a vaccine based
on the current strain of the avian flu virus. Already in clinical
trials, the Administration is planning to stockpile enough doses
to vaccinate 20 million people.
To equip Americans with accurate information on how to protect
themselves and their families, a new website has been launched:
Information about America’s plans for flu preparedness
can be found at www.pandemicflu.gov.
The State of Alaska’s preparedness plans and information
can be found at: www.epi.alaska.gov/id/influenza/fluinfo.htm.
|