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Avian Flu |
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The global threat of Avian Influenza is increasing every day. Although the deadly flu strain remains an ocean away from the U.S., it has already caused death, economic loss and fear in many of the countries in which we work. The potential of an influenza pandemic raises a number of issues pertinent to the overall global health agenda - issues of surveillance, health care infrastructure/preparedness, vaccine production and the role of private industry.
Many in the NGO community, on Capitol Hill and in private industry have convened discussions about the flu and what can be done. Please read below and refer to the attached materials for key players, resources and events related to avian influenza*.
Please visit www.globalhealth.org for regular updates and feel free to contact nbates@globalhealth.org with any questions.
* While not an exhaustive listing, we hope that this will provide a sense of the many Avian Influenza activities.
Congressional Activity
Hearings
Legislation
Congressional Press Releases
Working Group on Pandemic Influenza Preparedness
"At the international level, the Administration's budget request may improve surveillance efforts, but it fails to address the need for programs exploring the environmental linkages to the spread of bird flu. Moreover, it remains unclear how the U.S. will respond to requests from other countries to donate vaccine, medicines, expertise or health care infrastructure in the event of a pandemic. We believe that it is in the nation's enlightened self-interest to do more internationally in the attempt to diminish the rate and scope of a future flu pandemic."
Learn More
See What Congress is Doing
Senator Bill Frist's keynote address to the National Press Club, "Pandemic: The Economy's Silent Killer"
Read the keynote address
House Hearings
Statement of Jim Kolbe during the Congressional hearing on Avian flu
March 2, 2006
Avian Flu: Addressing the Global Threat
House Committee on International Relations
Dec. 7, 2005
Statement of Dr. Ron DeHaven, Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture to the House Agriculture Committee
Nov. 16, 2005
Review of the Prevention, Detection, and Eradication of Avian Influenza
House Committee on Agriculture - Public Hearing
Nov. 16, 2005
Pandemic Flu Plan Assessment
House Energy and Commerce Committee, Full Committee Hearing
Nov. 8, 2005
Pandemic Influenza
House Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee for Labor/HHS/Education
Nov. 2, 2005
More House hearings |
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Senate Hearings
USDA Avian Influenza Plan Review
Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee
May 11, 2006
Role of US Agriculture in the Control and Eradication of Avian Influenza
Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry
Nov. 17, 2005
UN Efforts to Combat Avian Flu
Congressional Global Health Caucus and United Nations Foundation News Conference/Briefing
Nov. 15, 2005
Avian Influenza - Are We Prepared?
Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
Nov. 9, 2005
Pandemic Influenza
Senate Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee for Labor/HHS/Education
Nov. 2, 2005
More Senate hearings |
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House Legislation
* legislative language can be found at: thomas.loc.gov
HR 4603 Pandemic and Seasonal Influenza Act of 2005
December 16, 2005
To amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to pandemic influenza, and for other purposes. There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title $750,000,000 for fiscal year 2007.
HR 4476 Global Network for Avian Influenza Surveillance Act
December 8, 2005
To establish a global network for avian influenza surveillance among wild birds nationally and internationally to combat the growing threat of bird flu, and for other purposes.
HR 4396 National Vaccine Authority
Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-NY); 1 co-sponsor
Would establish the National Vaccine Authority within the Department of Health and Human Services; Introduced 11/18/05
HR 4392
Rep. Thomas Allen (D-ME); no co-sponsors
Would provide for the importation of pharmaceutical products under a compulsory license as provided for under the World Trade Organization; Introduced 11/18/05
HR 4358 Influenza Vaccine Emergency Act
Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR); 11 co-sponsors
Would amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for emergency distributions of influenza vaccine; Introduced 11/17/05
HR 4245 Influenza Preparedness and Prevention Act of 2005
Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-CA); 6 co-sponsors
Would provide for programs and activities with respect to pandemic influenza; Introduced 11/7/05
More House legislation |
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Senate Legislation
* legislative language can be found at: thomas.loc.gov
S. 2170 Global Pathogen Surveillance Act
Sen. Bill Frist (R-TN) ; three cosponsors
Would provide for global pathogen surveillance and response. Introduced 12/21/05
More Senate legislation |
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Congressional Press Releases
Clinton, Dayton, Obama Push for More Congressional Oversight of Avian Flu Preparation
April 27, 2006
Press release: Senators Roberts and Clinton Discuss Pandemic Flu on Senate Floor
June 8, 2006
Resources
U.S. Government
World Health Organization
Other
Private Industry
For a listing of private industry entities currently working on avian influenza, click here.
DAI Capability Profile: Avian Flu
Experts and Materials
WHO Rapid Response Draft Protocol, updated May 30
Infection Control for Health Care Facilities (PDF)
Pharmacological Management of Humans with AI (PDF)
Improving Biosecurity in the Food Supply Chain
Risks to Human Health from Potential Water and Sewage Transmission of AI
Preparedness and Community Response to Pandemics
free online course at the University of Albany
Click here for a listing of some of the experts currently working on avian influenza and related issues.
On May 11, 2006 Dr. Murray Trostle, Deputy Director of USAID's Avian Influenza Preparedness and Response Unit, presented an update on Avian Influenza at Global Health Council. His update covered USAID program activities and discussed future needs as to how the potential pandemic will affect long-standing global health programming.
View the presentation (PDF, 628K).
Breakout sessions from Biotechnology Industries Organization's (BIO) annual convention in Chicago scheduled for April 11, 2006.
More information
On September 19, 2005, Dr. Michael Osterholm, Director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy and Helen Branswell, Medical Writer, Canadian Press presented at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. View the video and the presentations from the Emerging Pandemic: Costs and Consequences of an Avian Influenza Outbreak event.
Dr. Murray Trostle is the Deputy Director of USAID's Avian Influenza Preparedness and Response Unit. His October 20, 2005, presentation begins with a nice overview of avian influenza, and the current situation, and starting with page/slide 29, outlines the USG response.
View the presentation (PDF, 1.5MB).
Reports
The World Health Organization has available on its website situation reports for various countries where avian flu has been reported. Following are links to the most recent situation reports.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a document recommending strategic actions to respond to the avian influenza threat. The document sets out activities that can be undertaken by individual countries, the international community, and WHO to prepare the world for the next influenza pandemic and mitigate its impact once international spread has begun.
View the complete document (PDF, 116K).
Press
The most recent news stories on Avian Influenza are listed below. For a complete listing of recent articles and stories, click here.
- EU Says Cash Now Flowing from Bird Flu Aid Pledge
Jeremy Smith/Reuters/July 14, 2006
- Bird Flu Will Remain a Threat for Years to Come
UN News Center/July 10, 2006
- Avian Influenza Still Expanding in Africa
Food and Agriculture Organization/July 10, 2006
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Spain Confirms Its First Case of Bird Flu
The Washington Post/July 7, 2006
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First Vaccine Against Avian Flu Is Approved as Interim Measure
The New York Times/April 18, 2007
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Vietnam, Model for Containing Bird Flu: WHO
NhanDan Online/April 9, 2007
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Sanofi Wins U.S. Approval for First Bird Flu Vaccine
Bloomberg/April 17, 2007
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Developing Countries Get Help with Birdflu Vaccine
Reuters/April 25, 2007
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China Bird Flu Death Raises Alarm
Aljazeera/March 29, 2007
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Indonesia Says WHO Rules on Sharing Bird Flu Samples Must Change
Aljazeera/March 29, 2007
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