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February 5, 2005
OP-ED CONTRIBUTORS, The New York Times
When Influenza Takes Flight
By HANS TROEDSSON and ANTON RYCHENER
anoi, Vietnam — IMAGINE this situation: A sudden outbreak of a little-understood disease in two European countries kills 41 of the 54 people it is known to have infected. In its wake it leaves 150 million chickens dead, some of them killed by the virus causing the outbreak, others slaughtered to stop its spread. At a zoo in one country, rare tigers suddenly begin dying from the disease. Reports from elsewhere in Europe say the virus, which is normally found only in chickens, is now also infecting pigs, cats and ducks.
Scientists sound the alarm. They say that while the disease is primarily attacking poultry, it is undergoing genetic changes that could make it much more dangerous to humans. The possible result, they say, is a pandemic that could have devastating social and economic consequences. They point out that pandemics of this nature normally occur every 30 years - and the last one was more than 35 years ago.
There's no doubt that the international reaction would be swift and efficient. Resources would be poured into controlling the outbreak, with money made available for research into its causes, the virus's transmission routes, associated risk factors and treatment. A vaccine would be a top priority.
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http://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/05/opinion/05troedsson.html?thInternational cooperation to stamp out such an outbreak may possibly not happen if Bush and this congress take the same posture they did when the Christmas tsunami disaster hit. Besides, fighting a disease outbreak takes months of preparation and years of research and most importantly lots of money. Bush's actions of the past shows he fails on all of these measures.