Country Situations

 

By creating a table of facts country by country, it is very clear there are many discrepancies in policies concerning prevention and control. The United States has assured us that poultry farms have certain guidelines to follow concerning the feeding of chickens. Also, poultry farmers here have been vaccinating chickens in order to prevent outbreaks. Our friends in Poland, do have have a clear plan to manage or control outbreaks yet, have reported cats and dogs are now dying of the Avian Flu. We have not been able to confirm this though, it is strictly hearsay. It is the word around the villages. Our contacts in France have also reported cats have been dying of the Avian Flu. Perhaps that is why Italy has made educating veterinarians a top priority. Situation in Turkey is much more difficult to manage. One television station in Greece made reference to a villager who said his chickens were more important than his wife. Villagers in Turkey have been hiding their chickens from local officials. On the other hand, we can see Vietnam has made a tremendous effort in controlling and preventing outbreaks, even in remote areas.

 

Country	National Plan	Research	Vaccine Availability	Medical Priorities	Travel Precautions	Poultry	Miscellaneous
Belgium	Health workers with symptoms to be vaccinated	Negotiations underway to pay 5 million Euros for the first option to buy anti viral stocks	3 Million doses, 30% of population protected	People with non communicable diseases to be supervised with a course of anti virals	None	None	Veterinarians a priority
France	None	Sanofi Pastuer to deliver 1.4 million doses in 2005 after human trials were successful	40 million doses in the case of a pandemic, currently stock piled 14 million doses at the end of 2005	200 million face masks ordered	None	Confined until May 2006	None
Germany	Avian Flu downgraded to low	20 million Euros to develop prototype vaccine	1 in 10 people as of now should be protected in case of a pandemic	None	none	Confined until 2005	None
Greece	National Plan for epidemics in place since the Olympics, 1 Billion spent on security	No independent research	200,000 doses of anti viral drug	Major hospitals have a rapid reaction plan	Border checks with Turkey, population warned of traveling in that area	Lorries from Turkey being disinfected	None
Italy	None	None	100 million Euros to buy anti vial drugs, 10% of the population covered, 30 million doses ordered	None	Police enforce border patrols	Labeling of Italian poultry, poultry vaccinated, imported poultry labeled	Extra Veterinarians and animal disease prevention personal recruited
Netherlands	National Plan in Place	Wants EU wide research	220,000 in place, 2.4 million in 2006, 2.4 million in 2007	Hospitals have an emergency plan	None	None	None
Poland	None	None	None	None	None	Poultry has to be confined in closed compartments	Formulating a plan now
Romania	Emergency Plan in place since October 2005	Ready to manufacture vaccine but need WHO approval	500,000 anti viral doses, 1,000,000 are on order 15,000 capsules of Tamiflu	All cases of Influenza are to be reported, vaccines for inhabitants of infected areas	None	120,000 birds culled since October, 2005, cull of bird houses, disinfecting spray for vehicles carrying poultry	Ban on fishing
Russia	Avian Flu plan adopted in August,2005	Research has taken place but details remain top secret	Enough vaccine for its 150 million inhabitants, Influenza drugs being stockpiled	Protective suits and training for people with high risk,	Warning from scientists not to visit Turkey, beefed up security at airports and borders	Chicken farmers over 60 with chronic lung and cardiac disease may not work with poultry, only trained doctors/biologist may work with poultry infected with the Avian Flu, full protective clothing mandatory	Citizens are discouraged from visiting areas where Avian Flu has been reported
Spain	Extensions of measures taken last November	Plans to build a factory to manufacture anti-virals, up and running in six years	10 million doses to cover 25% of the population	None	None	Poultry is not allowed to be kept in the open, 25 wetland areas designated high risk, movement of birds in those areas is limited	None
Turkey	National Bird Flu Action Plan adopted 2001	None, Turkey imports up to 300,000 regular Flu vaccines yearly	15,000 courses of Tamiflu stockpiled, 100,000 on order	None	Iran has closed one of its borders to Turkey	Mass culling of birds in affected areas, imports of birds/poultry products from Greece, Iran and Romania have been banned.	International experts sent to decide how quickly the bird flu is spreading, impossible to police hygiene standards in small rural communities is next to impossible
United Kingdom	Update of Pandemic Contingency Plan of 2005	10 million L for research into infectious diseases as recommended by the Medical Research Council	14.6 million courses of anti-viral drugs by Aug, 2006, to date 4 million doses	Doctors have been advised on how to handle people infected with the Avian Flu	None	Citizens must register their poultry by Feb. 2006	None
China	Emergency Plan using four levels of alert	Chinese company to begin research, but until the exact strain is found it is difficult to prepare	Exact numbers unavailable	Patients with Avian Flu treated with Tamiflu, Amantadine and Rimatadine	None	Agriculturist monitor areas of high risk, 14 billion ducks and chickens vaccinated	Domestically developed bird flu vaccine for animals, 1 billion doses by the end of the year, closer links with health, agriculture established
Indonesia	People are encourage to keep their houses clean and areas where they have chickens	None	30,000 doses of Tamiflu	Urgent and free hospital treatment for people with Avian Flu symptoms	None	Cleanliness in chicken preparations stressed, deaths of chickens should be reported, opposes mass culling	Farms can deny access to the authorities under the current laws
Kazakhstan	None	None	Unavailable	Laboratories have been given funds for protective clothing and equipment	None	Several thousand birds culled, quarantines enforced, wild and domestic birds checked	Crosses 3 main migratory paths, wildlife officials alerted to possible outbreaks, hunting season delayed by a month
Thailand	None	Trials could begin next year	None	None	None	Poultry farmers advised to wear protective clothing, clean cages and equipment regularly,	None
Vietnam	National Bird Flu plan	Research in coordination with the WHO	Imported from other countries	Hospital Staff trained in protective measures when dealing with a person infected with the Avian Flu	None	47 million poultry culled, restricted feeding and raising of poultry, inoculation of poultry	Strict surveillance
Australia	National Pandemic Plan	6.5 million in emergency funding for research	Vaccine development, stockpile of vaccines	Hospital staff trained according to national plan	None, but travel precautions to infected countries are recommended	Australian Veterinarian Emergency Plan which recommends, surveillance, quarantine, disinfection, destruction of poultry infected	555 million dollars spent since 2003 in preparedness and research
United States	National Pandemic Flu Planning Update, 2005	10 million for egg research, cell vaccine research, 100 million for all flu variations	Stockpile of vaccines, with those at high risk treated first	Hospital staff trained according to national plan	None, but CDC recommends checking with their website prior to travel in infected areas	Chickens are inoculated, feeding indoors, strict monitoring of domestic animals who might interact with the poultry, culling of poultry with Avian Flu	CDC developing new technologies for cross variant strains, funding for poor countries to battle Avian Flu

 

Below, we have this information in paragraph format, with more detail (especially on Thailand, Vietnam and the United States).

 

Belgium

The major component of the plan if a bird flu outbreak happens is to vaccinate all health workers. People who have the disease will be given antiviral medicine, and will be provided with medical attention. Belgium really wants those vaccines, they are preparing to pay 5million euros to get the first of the vaccines from the companies. They plan by the end of 2007 to have at least three million doses of antiviral medication, which will cover about 30% of their population. Veterinarians are also high on the priority list, because the disease may be transmitted from animal to human..

China

China has developed a four-color warning system plan. It monitors areas at risk from the disease. By December, the nation had already finished vaccinated half of its poultry. China has reported their doctors had developed a cheaper and better vaccine for animals and hopes to produce a billion by the end of the year. It has begun to test vaccines for humans. The bird flu victims are being treated with antiviral medication such as Tamiflu, and the country is trying to stockpile more. They have linked health and agriculture closer, as to help fight the disease.

France

France is concentrating on the source of the problem, and is keeping confinement measures on poultry. They have also asked for 40 million vaccines if an avian flu pandemic happens. A French vaccine company, Sanofi Pasteur, was scheduled to deliver 1.4 million vaccines to France. France said it would have antiviral drugs by the end of 2005 for 14 million people. It has also ordered 200 million facemasks for its health workers.

Germany

This country seems to have relaxed a bit, relaxing it’s regulations on poultry, and even lowering the alert level that the flu will reach them now. As for vaccines, each German state is responsible for ordering it’s own vaccines. It has also invested 20 million euros to develop a vaccine. They currently have enough antiviral medication for one in ten people.

Greece

Greece seems to be very well prepared, with a national action plan under it’s belts, along with many major hospitals with rapid reaction plans. However, it does not have any independent research for vaccines, so they will have to get it from somewhere else. Greece has ordered 200,000 doses of antiviral drugs. After the outbreaks in Turkey, Greece went on high alert, and has warned people crossing the border about risks, and checks the cargo coming in from Turkey

Indonesia

Indonesia is offering free and urgent hospital treatment for those who test positive for the avian flu. The people have been asked to keep their homes and areas where birds are clean as to prevent spread. They are not doing any independent vaccine research that we know of. They have 30,000 doses of Tamiflu in stock. It will be distributed through 44 hospitals and through several pharmacies for those with prescriptions. They, however, are against culling, and are reviewing laws, in which farms can deny the government the right to kill their chickens.

Italy

Italy has labeled its poultry with where it was raised, and the date and place of slaughter. Some poultry have been vaccinated. More vets and animal disease prevention experts were recruited, and more police units were put on border control. They say that at least 36 million doses of antiviral medication will be available after 3-4 months of an outbreak. Italy has enough antiviral medication for 10% of its population, with 20 million more doses coming.

Kazakhstan

After cases of avian flu near the Russian border, thousands of birds were destroyed, along with quarantine enforcement. The wild and domestic birds have been tested for avian flu. The country is ready to import vaccines when needed, and labs have been given money to buy protective equipment, like protective clothing and masks. The country is not looking into research for vaccines. The wildlife officers are on the lookout for sick birds. The hunting season was actually delayed to prevent contact with dying birds.

Netherlands

Netherlands already has a national pandemic plan, and is proposing EU for increase in research for vaccines. It has 220,000 so far, with 2,4 million coming, and another 2.4 million by the end of 2007.

Poland

Poland has established rules that farmers with poultry must keep them in closed compartments, avoiding contact with migratory birds. No vaccines or antiviral, but they are updating their plans.

Romania

Romania has local and national committees for intervention in case an outbreak occurs. GPs are on alert to isolate anybody infected, and any symptoms must be reported to them. The country believes that it can produce a vaccine, but it will need WHO’s approval first. The country has about 500,000 antiviral doses, which 300,000 have been distributed. 1 million have been ordered. In areas affected by avian flu, they have culled house birds, quarantine, and have provided vaccines for the inhabitants of the areas. They now disinfect vehicles with a spray, and have banned fishing.

Russia

Russia adapted an avian flu plan in August, along with obtaining protective suits, and training in recognizing the symptoms of the deadly disease. They have made plans for making sure no person over 60, or with chronic cardiac and lug conditions, will be allowed to be a chicken farm worker. They have a sufficient supply of antiviral medication for all its inhabitants. People are discouraged to go to areas where bird flu has occurred, and the security at airports and borders has been pushed up.

Spain

Spain has decided to enforce measures that identify 25 wetland areas that are in danger from infection, along with limiting the movement of migratory birds in those areas, and banning the allowance of poultry in open air. They plan to build a vaccine-producing factory, which would be in about 6 years. It has ordered over 10 million doses of antiviral medication, which will treat about 25% of the population.

Thailand

Thailand has used mass media to inform it’s inhabitants about the avian flu. The people have been told to cook the meat properly, and to avoid meat with dark, bloody bruise marks. The eggs should also be cleaned. These precautions have been made to avoid transfer through food. The farmers have been told to check chickens for symptoms, and should wear equipment to prevent catching the disease. The trials for the human vaccine could happen next year. The country has reserved 1.5 million doses of antiviral medication, along with 300,000 doses of human flu vaccine. Recently, a UN Bird Flu coordinator complimented Vietnam and Thailand on a great job for preparing for a flu pandemic. Thailand has run several exercises, and has given responsibility for each individual province over to the respective local government officials. However, the country has been advised to keep vigilant, even though it has had great success in containing the outbreaks.

Turkey

Actually, Turkey’s plan was drawn up in 2001. Along with that, massive bird culling is taking places in areas where avian flu has struck, along with experts being sent out to evaluate the spread of the virus, and the stop of imports from Greece Iran, and Romania, This country is not developing it’s own vaccine, however, it has 15,000 courses of Tamiflu, with another 100,000 ordered. However, many people in Turkey keep chickens in their backyards, making it impossible to keep the country under a strict hygiene standard. Russia has advised that its inhabitants do not travel there, while Iran has completely closed a crossing between its borders with Turkey.

United Kingdom

The measures that have been suggested are under review, and the UK has updated its pandemic plan recently in October of 2005. A ban on bird fairs, markets, and shows was lifted. Doctors have however been told what to do may a pandemic happen. The UK is helping in the cause of developing a vaccine. They have asked for 2 million doses when the vaccines are done. About 14.6 million courses of antiviral medication is being stockpiled they expect to have all of it by August 2006.

United States

The United States will be intensifying surveillance and containment measures, to make sure that Avian Flu does not get to us. It plans to stockpile antiviral medication and vaccines, and will attempt to get sufficient doses for all citizens, as the government knows this is critical. The government also plan to keep the public informed, so we are not left in the dark. However, the government is aware that to do this, they will require great coordination among all the federal agencies and local governments. They also will make sure that once they have obtained vaccine, that they will distribute it to the state, then local health departments. However, many people have expressed their concern that US is not prepared for the avian flu. Some have voiced that Homeland Security Officers at airports have not bee given proper training in handling those with fowl and the fowl itself. The officers are the frontline in stopping the spread into the United States, and their abilities to handle the possible carriers has been questioned. However, some are confident that the US’s surveillance will make sure that the avian flu does not spread in the country.

Vietnam

Vietnam is now working on an action plan that is worth about 250 million US Dollars. It will strengthen surveillance and human and veterinary health services. It has culled many chickens, has had market closures, and has large-scale vaccination campaigns, all to drive avian flu away. Vietnam has had the most cases, but since around November, has had no new cases of Avian Flu. Recently, a UN Bird Flu coordinator complimented Vietnam and Thailand on a great job for preparing for a flu pandemic. Vietnam has gotten 100,000 workers to vaccinate the poultry in the, and has assigned local government officials to be in charge of preparations for the flu. It has also used mass media to warn the public. However, poultry smuggling has occurred, and several of the smuggled poultry were found to have the avian flu. This could cause a possible outbreak, and would ruin Vietnam’s hard work. The country has been advised to keep up their good effort and vigilance as to make sure the avian flu does not resurface.