A Sign Of Things To Come?

 

# 1215

 

 

In the UK last spring they had an outbreak of the H7N2 virus, a form of avian flu considered to be less dangerous than H5N1.   The virus spread from poultry to humans, although it was contained. 

 

Police were dispatched to set up a protection zone around the outbreak, but they were not issued the same protective gear as those working for DEFRA.  Two officers are claiming they fell ill due to the inadequate precautions that were taken, and are now suing.

 

While I doubt there will be many lawsuits during a pandemic, one has to wonder how many will be filed after the crisis is over?

 

I suspect a lot.

 

A pandemic with reduced (or adjusted) standards of care, shortages of ventilators, antiviral drugs, and possibly even antibiotics, a lack of hospital beds and nursing staff,  inadequate supplies of PPE's (Personal Protective Equipment), and overworked and exhausted emergency personnel represents an ideal environment for accidents, mistakes, and tragedies to happen.  

 

And in our western society, that invariably means lawyers will be called in to seek redress.

 

Something for hospitals, companies, or agencies to think about, as they formulate their pandemic policies.

 

 

 

 

Police sued over bird flu cautions

 

Last Modified: 02 Nov 2007
Source: PA News

Two police officers sent to guard a bird flu protection zone are suing their force, police said.

 

The North Wales officers claim they were not given the same protective clothing as staff from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and later fell ill.

 

Test are under way to establish the strain of flu they and some members of their families, including a child, suffered.

 

The two officers have not been named.

 

A North Wales Police spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that a representation has been made to our legal department.

 

"The matter is still under investigation and therefore it would be inappropriate to comment further."

 

The local branch of the Police Federation would make no comment.

 

The outbreak of H7N2, a less pathogenic strain of the virus to the deadly H5N1, happened on a farm near Corwen, Denbighshire, last May.

 

North Wales police set up a cordon around the site with officers posted at access points to prevent spread of the virus. However, they say they were not given adequate protection in terms of clothing and training and later they displayed flu-like symptoms.

 

Afterwards they say some relatives, including a child, also became ill. The public health service for Wales says at least 17 people showed flu-like symptoms in the wake of the outbreak. Tests are continuing although the owners of the farm are thought to have tested negative for the bird flu strain.