# 1821
While the odds of actually stopping a pandemic outbreak anywhere in the world are slim, the attempt will still be made, and those involved will need rapid access to PPE's (Personal Protective Equipment) and other supplies.
To that end, the United States has created the first of three planned emergency influenza supply depots, this one located near the Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi) Airport.
This from the Bangkok Post.
The US on Tuesday launched Asia's first avian influenza combat depot in Thailand, to supply emergency kits to fight any new outbreaks in and around Thailand of the H5N1 virus.
"The Regional Distribution Centre in Thailand, the first of three regional supply centres that are being established worldwide, will help ensure countries in Asia will be able to take fast action to counter avian influenza without endangering the lives of the rapid-response teams," said US Ambassador Eric John.
The centre, in a warehouse near Suvarnabhumi airport, is stocked with 45,000 pieces of personal protective equipment, 440 decontamination kits, 10 laboratory specimen kits and four training packs, valued in all at $548,300 - about 17.25 million baht.
The project is sponsored by the US Agency for International Development (USAid) for speedy deployment to contain avian influenza outbreaks in the Asian region.
Avian influenza, also known as bird flu, has killed millions of chickens and ducks since it first broke out in Asia in 2003, and has also claimed 235 human lives worldwide - 17 of them Thai.
Scientists fear the virus could mutate and cause a global epidemic.
"There were fewer human deaths last year than in 2006," said John. "But the threat remains. Avian influenza still is a critical problem in this region." (dpa)
