Avian Flu Risk “Lower Than People Think”
Avian Flu Risk in Israel “Lower Than People Think”
18:06 Oct 20, '05 / 17 Tishrei 5766
By Hana Levi Julian
The chief physician of the Arad district for Kupat Holim Leumit said in an exclusive interview on Thursday that the avian flu now making it way across Europe is not nearly as much of a risk to Israelis as the public believes.
Dr. Yuval Rabinovitch, medical director of Leumit’s network of clinics in the Arad region, said that “although it is understandable, and even desirable to prepare for the worst, people are starting to lose their heads over this.”
The disease, first picked up in Asia, has now spread to Turkey, Romania, Russia and Kazakhistan. Hungarian Prime Minister Jenoe Racz announced Wednesday that researchers in his country have just developed a vaccine for the virus. He said that antibodies to the virus have appeared in his blood following his inoculation with the vaccine several weeks ago.
Meanwhile, Jordan and Israel have reached an agreement to work together to contain the spread of the virus.
Rabinovitch said it is unlikely that the bird flu will have any significant effect on Israel for a number of reasons. “First, Israel does not import chicken meat, because the local supply meets local demand. Second, most risk is when people eat rare chicken meat, a conduct that is practically unheard of in Israel. Third, bird flu does not spread from one human to another. This can change, but so can the virulence of the virus.”
Israeli health officials agree. At a press conference on Wednesday, Israel’s Health Minister Danny Naveh told reporters that although “it is only a matter of time” before the disease reaches Israel, preparations have already been made to deal with the threat. He said that the Ministry plans to destroy all fowl “within a three-kilometer radius” of any bird found to be carrying the disease. All other fowl will be inoculated as well.
Head of Israel’s Center for Disease Control Professor Manfred Green also insisted that "there is no problem regarding public health", emphasizing that at present the virus is passed only to those who come into close contact with fowl, such as chicken farmers.
Flu vaccinations are already being administered to Israel’s high-risk population and poultry production facilities are being closely monitored for any sign of the virus.
Rabinovitch maintained that the media’s interest in ratings accounts for much of the current panic. He quoted a recent news item that featured the subheading, “experts say 7 million could die”, and pointed out that readers should look at the body of the text before jumping to conclusions. “”When you read the small print you discover that “experts estimate that, if it acquires the ability to infect people easily and spread efficiently….” he said. “One should read that statement with a big “if”.
Nonetheless, Rabinovitch said the media coverage has achieved an important goal, despite the “small panic” it inspired. Because of it, “more people come to the clinic to get their flu shot. We should arrange for such a spin every year” he said.
Click here for our free Daily News Report from Israel
http://israelnationalnews.com/news.php3?id=91547
Published: 16:09 October 20, 2005
Last Update: 18:06 October 20, 2005
18:06 Oct 20, '05 / 17 Tishrei 5766
By Hana Levi Julian
The chief physician of the Arad district for Kupat Holim Leumit said in an exclusive interview on Thursday that the avian flu now making it way across Europe is not nearly as much of a risk to Israelis as the public believes.
Dr. Yuval Rabinovitch, medical director of Leumit’s network of clinics in the Arad region, said that “although it is understandable, and even desirable to prepare for the worst, people are starting to lose their heads over this.”
The disease, first picked up in Asia, has now spread to Turkey, Romania, Russia and Kazakhistan. Hungarian Prime Minister Jenoe Racz announced Wednesday that researchers in his country have just developed a vaccine for the virus. He said that antibodies to the virus have appeared in his blood following his inoculation with the vaccine several weeks ago.
Meanwhile, Jordan and Israel have reached an agreement to work together to contain the spread of the virus.
Rabinovitch said it is unlikely that the bird flu will have any significant effect on Israel for a number of reasons. “First, Israel does not import chicken meat, because the local supply meets local demand. Second, most risk is when people eat rare chicken meat, a conduct that is practically unheard of in Israel. Third, bird flu does not spread from one human to another. This can change, but so can the virulence of the virus.”
Israeli health officials agree. At a press conference on Wednesday, Israel’s Health Minister Danny Naveh told reporters that although “it is only a matter of time” before the disease reaches Israel, preparations have already been made to deal with the threat. He said that the Ministry plans to destroy all fowl “within a three-kilometer radius” of any bird found to be carrying the disease. All other fowl will be inoculated as well.
Head of Israel’s Center for Disease Control Professor Manfred Green also insisted that "there is no problem regarding public health", emphasizing that at present the virus is passed only to those who come into close contact with fowl, such as chicken farmers.
Flu vaccinations are already being administered to Israel’s high-risk population and poultry production facilities are being closely monitored for any sign of the virus.
Rabinovitch maintained that the media’s interest in ratings accounts for much of the current panic. He quoted a recent news item that featured the subheading, “experts say 7 million could die”, and pointed out that readers should look at the body of the text before jumping to conclusions. “”When you read the small print you discover that “experts estimate that, if it acquires the ability to infect people easily and spread efficiently….” he said. “One should read that statement with a big “if”.
Nonetheless, Rabinovitch said the media coverage has achieved an important goal, despite the “small panic” it inspired. Because of it, “more people come to the clinic to get their flu shot. We should arrange for such a spin every year” he said.
Click here for our free Daily News Report from Israel
http://israelnationalnews.com/news.php3?id=91547
Published: 16:09 October 20, 2005
Last Update: 18:06 October 20, 2005
posted by impresario | 1:09 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home