The swine flu epidemic: the public health and medical response: hearing of the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

Original publisher: Washington: U.S. G.P.O., 2011. LC Number: KF26 .L27 2009t OCLC Number: (OCoLC)721292518 Subject: H1N1 influenza -- United States -- Prevention. Excerpt: ...orts are currently underway to fight this deadly outbreak, what plans and infrastructure are in place should the situation worsen, and how we can help you and them do their jobs. The Senator from Wyoming, Senator Enzi, for his opening statement. Opening Statement of Senator Enzi Senator Enzi. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Because of the urgency of the information, I was not going to give a statement. I was going to introduce Senator Burr to do one on our side so that there would only be one on our side, but since he is not here, I am going to go ahead and do the statement. We are facing the early stages of what may become a global pandemic and infection. We are calling it H1N1 so that does not affect the pork market. It is being referred to everywhere else as swine flu, and it has claimed 100 lives in Mexico. Other countries, from Canada to New Zealand, have confirmed cases. This disease does not know any borders. While the World Health Organization has yet to declare a pandemic, the early information on the flu bears eerie parallels to the 1918 pandemic. That virus took a devastating toll on the United States and other nations, ultimately killing 50 million people worldwide. To prevent the flu from becoming the next pandemic and to ensure the health and safety of Americans and individuals around the world, we will respond aggressively to this threat. Our agencies must work closely together and with our global partners to stop the threat of the flu, to help individuals who may be infected find the right treatment as early as possible. Over the last 5 years, Congress and the previous administration have taken actions to prepare our country for potential disease outbreaks and other public emergencies. In particular, I do want ...