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  For Immediate Release  
  Contact: Phil Bloomer  
  Phone: (217) 403-4690  
November 8, 2005
 
REP. JOHNSON URGES VIGILANCE ON AVIAN FLU
 
 
 

Washington, D.C. -  U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson said today that government agencies are making appropriate preparations to deal with Avian Flu.

            “There’s a growing concern that there is an uncontrolled spread of this disease. That is not the case. Steps are being taken to protect our citizens. As of this time, there have been no human cases of the Avian influenza in the United States,” Rep. Johnson said. “But we need to continue to be vigilant. And our health agencies continue to demonstrate their own vigilance on this front.”

            To date, countries that have been affected by avian flu outbreaks include: Korea, Vietnam, Japan, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, China, Malaysia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Turkey and Romania.

            Human avian flu cases have occurred in Cambodia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.

            As of Nov. 8, there have been a total of 124 human cases, with 63 deaths. The latest was an Indonesian woman who died of the disease Oct. 28, according to the World Health Organization.

            The current flu strain spreads when birds pass the virus in their saliva, nasal secretions and feces. It is believed that in most cases, the infection passes to humans as a result of contact with infected poultry or contaminated surfaces. However, there is growing concern that as the virus transforms over time, the altered virus may allow humans to infect other humans, creating a greater threat worldwide.

            The current risk to humans is generally low because the virus as it is now occurs mainly among birds. Again, the risk occurs with people who have contact with infected birds or contaminated surfaces. Following safe-handling methods with poultry meat will diminish risk even where the virus is present. Well-cooked poultry is safe to consume as normal cooking (160 degrees) will inactivate the virus if it is present.

            President Bush has requested $7.1 billion from Congress to address a three-part plan:

  • Detect outbreaks that occur worldwide.
  • Stockpile vaccines and antiviral drugs and expediting the process for the production of new vaccines, including initially procuring enough avian flu vaccine to treat 20 million people.
  • Respond quickly at local, state and federal levels in the event of a pandemic.

For additional information, citizens may contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.CDC.gov, or 800-232-4636; the World Health Organization at www.WHO.org, or 41-22-791-2111; or www.Pandemicflu.gov.

 

 

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