What are some governmental measures taken to deal with the potential pandemic of bird flu?

Answer 1

For the previously known subtype of bird flu that infected humans (H5N1), there is a vaccine developed and stockpiled by the US in case a pandemic begins. All cases of avian flu in humans are reported to the CDC and WHO (World Health Organization) and the cases are closely monitored. So far there are no known human to human transmissions except under extremely rare circumstances of this rare avian flu.

There is also a new strain of the subtype of avian (bird) flu known as H7N9 which was just discovered in China and announced March 31, 2013. It was not known to have infected humans before. There have been several related deaths and WHO, Chinese authorities, WHO member nations, the US CDC and counterparts in other countries are currently investigating to try to find the source. Preliminary data indicate that it may contain signs of having been mutated and transmitted from a mammal and not from birds in this case.

The CDC is working to isolate a strain of H7N9 that is a candidate for use to develop a vaccine, but this is obviously at very early stages since it is a matter of days from the first discovery. Monitoring and awareness for reporting are heightened world wide. All cases are restricted to local outbreaks in Shanghai and other Chinese cities.

The families and close contacts of those known to have been infected are being monitored for signs of the transmission of the disease-causing virus. No indications of human to human transfer have been found to date.

All activity and response is in the very early stages and only 16 cases have been identified as of April 5, 2013, with six deaths.