antibiotic growth promoters will be withdrawn afte, page-2

hold onto your hats July 28, 2005.
Flu pandemic preparations to be tested
Federal Health Minister Tony Abbott says the states and territories have agreed to test their readiness to deal with a flu pandemic in Australia.

The World Health Organisation says there is a 10 per cent chance a flu pandemic will break out in the next 12 months.

Mr Abbott says the issue was high on the agenda when he met his state and territory counterparts in Alice Springs today.

He says the states and territories have assured him they are ready and have agreed to take part in a mock exercise before the end of the year.

"That won't just be a desktop trial run but will be a live trial of getting our health system to start coping with the victims of bird flu, should it ever break out," he said.

ACT Health Minister Simon Corbell says he is confident states and territories are well-prepared.

"Australia as a nation has a very well-advanced level of preparedness and understanding of what would be the key issues and the key responses needed should some sort of influenza pandemic occur in our country," he said.