When headlines make bird flu

You can't look at the bird flu news without seeing a new outbreak somewhere, whether it's in Bangladesh, Ghana, Togo, the Czech Republic, or Germany, or of course the old standbys, Vietnam, Indonesia and Eqypt. Lots of it around and I didn't give anywhere near the whole list. So it's curious to find this headline, "UN finds progress in tackling bird flu" in an AP story in the Houston Chronicle by Marta Falconi (same story and headline in Washington Post):

Scientists and officials gathering in Rome for a three-day technical meeting on bird flu said that in most cases the virus is rapidly detected and kept under control, as most countries are equipped with improved response systems. However, in nations that combine a high density of population and unsafe poultry management, the situation remains serious. (AP)

Seems like a mixed report: there's progress but the situation remains serious. But the glass in the headline was definitely half full.

Here's another headline: "Bird flu virus still a serious threat, despite improved response, UN warns." Same meeting, but this article, it turns out, is from the UN itself:

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned today that although the global response to the deadly H5N1 avian influenza virus has significantly improved over the past few years, the virus remains entrenched in several countries and will continue to spread.

According to FAO's Chief Veterinary Officer, Joseph Domenech, the virus was rapidly detected and eliminated or controlled in some 15 countries in Asia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East where it was introduced during the past six months.

Speaking at a press conference at the agency's headquarters in Rome, he said most affected countries have been very open about new outbreaks. "This shows that countries are taking the H5N1 threat seriously. They are better prepared today and have improved their response systems."

At the same time, Mr. Domenech stressed there was no room for complacency, and said a potential human influenza pandemic could not be ruled out as long as the virus continued to exist in poultry. (UN)

Is this glass half empty? Or maybe even 3/4 empty? You decide. It's a sobering thought, though, that many of us get our impressions of what's going on in the world from headlines. Nothing much that can be done about it. Just an observation.

More like this

...and they wonder why only a few take this issue seriously.

They are gambling big time...I hope they win for all our sakes.

Thanks Revere

My favorite AI headline of the week is:

"Bird flu resurfaces in Asia" (June 22, 2007)
(http://tinyurl.com/2m3nwo)

The headline writers must figure, "If we aren't covering it, it doesn't exist."

By Jody Lanard (not verified) on 28 Jun 2007 #permalink

Revere. Thanks...a nice piece of logic.

Mixed messages...that is why no one will ever take the issue seriously until it hits...just like SARS in Toronto.

Where I come from, we would say that they are 'chasing their tails'.

As part of our business, we track bird flu news daily from around the world and it's true, there's good and not-so-good news every day. Some progress here but a new outbreak there.

But one thing's for sure. People who aren't aware of all the news think that bird flu is now a non-existent (or very distant) threat that happens to other people and not them. This complacency can be catastrophic.

David Nabarro, WHO bird flu chief, had this to say on 23 October 2006:
?There will be an influenza pandemic one day. I don't know - you don't know - when it will be. When it does come along, it will have really major economic and social consequences,? ... ?The one absolute requirement for this is that we have to get prepared? and the present time is ?a wonderful breathing space in which we can get prepared so that when the pandemic comes we can deal with it.? ?

It is our strong belief that the following are the best ways for any and all of us to get prepared:

-- Seek out a good Bio-Protection Kit (anti-viral mask, anti-viral hand-rub solutions etc) for your home and workplace. Note the words "anti-viral". Not the n-95 masks or other masks on the market that simply block particulates. These will be useless in the event of a viral outbreak. They must be proven (as ours are -- see www.protechlife.com) to deal with viruses like H5N1, which are way way smaller than particulates that are blocked by n-95 masks, so please don?t be fooled. This kit is your bird flu insurance at home. Like a first aid kit or a fire extinguisher ... it's there if and when you need it to protect you, your family and your colleagues.

-- Keep your immune system high with good nutrition, a sensible exercise routine and plenty good water.

-- Keep yourself and your home clean habitually, not just when the problem arises.

-- Don't get a false sense of security from Tamiflu and other drugs. When the pandemic occurs, these drugs will be of limited (if any) value but even if they are, you need to ask yourself: "How will I actually get my share?"

Congrats on the blog ? let?s hope we can help some people to raise their awareness and stay vigilant to this ongoing threat.