Counter Plan for Flu Pandemic May Put Chicago on Hold

Chicago is among larger cities of the US. Its population is about 8.6 million people. This city faces a pandemic like situation due to influenza infection among people. But the researchers in the US say that counter action to prevent pandemic influenza would put the functioning of this city on hold because it would require closure of schools, quarantines of infected households, and even ban on public gatherings as preventive measures.

Some experts in the US are of the view that if counter actions are done properly and quickly, then it would help to reduce infections by nearly 80 percent. In the year 1918, a global flu pandemic had occurred that killed nearly more than 40 million people.

One of the experts, Stephen Eubank, said, “If you implement it early and people comply, you can save a lot of people. You can make it look a lot more like a seasonal flu than the 1918 pandemic.” He led one of the teams constituted by the government to make a plan for controlling flu.

According to estimates of the government, vaccines and drugs may not be enough to prevent or control the pandemic like situation out of flu. The plans of the authorities include the closure of schools and implementation of measures to isolate infected people so that they spread less infection.

The teams constituted by the government found that use of anti-viral drugs such as Tamiflu that is manufactured by Roche pharmaceuticals, and isolating infected people can help to contain flu infection.

Fear of Influenza Infection

Health experts all over the world agree on a common point that a global pandemic like situation due to flu is inevitable. Every year new strains of flu surround the air and infect millions of people.

About the plan, Eubank said, “We are not talking about simply shutting things down for a day or two like a snow day. It’s a sustained period for weeks or months.”

He further said, “You wouldn't go out to the movies. You wouldn't congregate with people. You’d pretty much be staying home with the doors and windows battened down.”

These types of plans may help control flu but the real success depends upon the efforts of the individuals to protect themselves as well as those around them.

Brief Description

The plan prepared by US authorities to counter flu may put Chicago on hold.