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" Preparing for a pandemic influenza : "
Stephen D Prior
Document Type
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BL
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Record Number
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794720
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Doc. No
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b614759
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Main Entry
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Stephen D Prior
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Title & Author
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Preparing for a pandemic influenza : : a primer for governors and senior state officials.\ Stephen D Prior
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Publication Statement
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Washington, D.C.: National Governors Association, Center for Best Practices, ©2006.
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ISBN
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1558774025
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: 9781558774025
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Notes
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Title from PDF title page (viewed Oct. 4, 2007).; Author: Stephen Prior.
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Abstract
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An episode of pandemic influenza is the viral equivalent of a perfect storm. Three essential conditions must be met for an outbreak to begin: a new flu virus must emerge from the animal reservoirs that have produced and harbored such viruses-- one that has never infected human beings and therefore one for which no person has developed antibodies; the virus has to make humans sick (most do not); it must be able to spread efficiently, through coughing, sneezing, or a handshake. The avian flu virus H5N1 already has met the first two conditions: transfer to humans has been documented and the effects are deadly, with 30 percent to 70 percent lethality, but the transmission rates to humans and between humans are still relatively low. Recent reports suggest the virus is mutating and could change in ways that allow it to fulfill the third criterion. When the human-to-human transfer begins, unless it is controlled rapidly in the locality of the outbreak, current levels of international travel could help foster a pandemic in a matter of weeks. This document examines the key issues governors and their top officials may face should a pandemic occur.
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Subject
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Disease Outbreaks -- prevention control.
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Subject
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Influenza in Birds -- prevention control.
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Subject
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Influenza, Human -- prevention control.
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Added Entry
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National Governors' Association. Center for Best Practices.
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Stephen D Prior
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