Interior minister graces graduation ceremony at Naif Arab University for Security Sciences    Prophet's Mosque imam underscores Islam's core values at peace conference in India    Saudi, Indian foreign ministers co-chair Cooperation Committee meeting in New Delhi    198 new sites documented in the National Antiquities Register    Cityscape Global 2024: Saudi real estate sector booms with SR180 billion in new projects    PIF to sell 2% stake in stc via accelerated book-building    SAMA issues rules for opening electronic wallets    TGA suspends 2 passenger transport applications and an application for food delivery    South Korean actor Song Jae Lim found dead at 39    Trump names Fox News host Pete Hegseth as defense secretary pick    There is nowhere safe in Gaza, UNRWA director says    Archbishop of Canterbury resigns over Church abuse scandal    US says it will not limit arms transfers to Israel    Don't sit on the toilet for more than 10 minutes, doctors warn    Saudi Champion Saeed Al-Mouri scores notable feat in Radical World Championship in Abu Dhabi with support from Bin-Shihon Group    'Marvels of Saudi Orchestra' to dazzle audience in Tokyo on Nov. 22    Rita Ora is tearful in tribute to Liam Payne at MTV Awards    France to deploy 4,000 police officers for UEFA Nations League match against Israel    Al Nassr edges past Al Riyadh with Mane's goal to move up to third    Al Ahli continues strong form with 2-0 win over Al Raed in Saudi Pro League    India puts blockbuster Pakistani film on hold    The Vikings and the Islamic world    Filipino pilgrim's incredible evolution from an enemy of Islam to its staunch advocate    Muted Eid celebrations for millions of Nigerian Muslims    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



US FREES ANOTHER $225 MILLION FOR BIRD FLU
Published in Saudi Press Agency on 11 - 07 - 2006

THE U.S. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT RELEASED ANOTHER $225 MILLION TO STATES AND CITIES ON TUESDAY TO USE IN PREPARING FOR A PANDEMIC OF BIRD FLU OR OTHER DISEASE, REUTERS REPORTED.
THE ALLOTMENT IS THE LARGEST SHARE OF $350 MILLION DESIGNATED TO HELP STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS BUY SUPPLIES AND FIX UP MEDICAL AND EMERGENCY SERVICES. THE FIRST $100 MILLION WAS DISTRIBUTED IN FEBRUARY TO IDENTIFY THE GAPS.
"THESE FUNDS WILL BUILD ON THE WORK BEGUN AT THE SUMMITS AND HELP LOCAL, TRIBAL, TERRITORIAL AND STATE PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS AS THEY UNDERTAKE CRITICAL PREPAREDNESS PLANNING THAT COMMUNITIES MUST DO THEMSELVES," HHS SECRETARY MIKE LEAVITT SAID IN A STATEMENT.
HHS HAS STRESSED THAT STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS MUST BEAR MOST OF THE BURDEN OF PREPARING FOR A PANDEMIC OR BIOLOGICAL ATTACK. LEAVITT SAYS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS NOT EQUIPPED TO DO ALL THE WORK AND DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH MONEY.
INFECTIOUS DISEASE EXPERTS AGREE THAT A PANDEMIC OF SOME SORT OF INFLUENZA IS OVERDUE. THE H5N1 AVIAN FLU VIRUS THAT HAS AFFECTED BIRDS IN ABOUT 50 COUNTRIES IS CONSIDERED THE MOST LIKELY CANDIDATE.
H5N1 RARELY INFECTS HUMANS BUT IT HAS KILLED 131 PEOPLE OUT OF 229 WHO CONTRACTED THE ILLNESS IN NINE COUNTRIES.
EXPERTS ARGUE THAT EVEN IF A PANDEMIC DOES NOT COME, THE MONEY IS WELL SPENT TO SHORE UP NEGLECTED PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES GLOBALLY AND A THIN VACCINE INDUSTRY.
THE U.S. CONGRESS HAS AUTHORIZED $6.1 BILLION OF BIRD FLU FUNDS OUT OF $7.1 BILLION REQUESTED BY PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH. MOST IS AIMED AT VACCINE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.
THE UNITED STATES HAS ALSO PLEDGED TO HELP OTHER COUNTIES BUT HAS SPENT ONLY ABOUT $71 MILLION OUT OF THE $334 MILLION IT PROMISED, ACCORDING TO A UNITED NATIONS REPORT.
THE MONEY IS MEANT TO HELP COUNTRIES WATCH FOR FLU, UPGRADE VETERINARY SYSTEMS, HOLD VACCINATION DRIVES AND EDUCATE PEOPLE ABOUT ABOUT ANIMAL AND HUMAN HYGIENE.


Clic here to read the story from its source.