Bird flu drug rationed for victims only

The UK is working on the basis that 25 percent of its populations would be infected.

The goverment has given an estimate that there would be 53,000 deaths in Britian from a pandemic, but the number could be as high as 300,000.

Jo Revill, health editor
Sunday July 24, 2005
The Observer

The anti-viral drug being stockpiled to combat bird flu will not be used to prevent the disease spreading. Ministers have decided it will be given only to people who are already infected and whose health is in serious danger.

The move has surprised experts working on plans to combat the anticipated pandemic of the disease. They had expected it would be given out in the early stages of any outbreak to prevent the disease from spreading.

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