The finer details need to be worked on...

The UK needs to do more to contain the threat of a bird flu outbreak according to Professor Anderson from Imperial College, London. While the general gist of the bird flu plans seem to be good the finer details need to be worked on and the logistical aspects of a full blown bird flu pandemic hitting the UK need to be considered.

More work should really be done on the simple things that are so important to stopping the spread of the H5N1 virus like the quarantining of people, the use of transport, whether schools should stay open and whether people should go to work.

Distribution of Tamiflu will play a major part in UK bird flu plans too and it could be that the NHS will not be able to manage with the demands made by sick people meaning that they will have to treated and looked after at home by friends and family.

Guidelines as to how these people should be looked after will be essential to the stopping of a bird flu pandemic and they should be made available to all the public so that the correct procedures are followed.

The country would be hit hard economically as sick people wouldn’t be able to work and many people may be afraid to venture out of their homes. Many parents would be unable to work if their children were not allowed to attend their school.

A clear lead and fixed rules and regulations are what are needed in order to make sure that a uniform approach is adopted all over the UK when and if the H5N1 virus strikes. Tamiflu and Relenza will be part of the UK Health Authorities plans and it is essential that these drugs be administered quickly to increase the chances of survival for all people.