bird flu contender?, page-2

This now on Microgenix www site (news section)
www.microgenix-global.com

Growing threat of Avian Influenza pandemic generates high level of concern.


High-level meetings involving regional governments and the United States have focused attention on the threat of an Avian Influenza outbreak and led to an increase in resources targeted at preventing a pandemic.

More meetings are planned, including a regional Bird Flu summit to be hosted by Australia in Brisbane between October 31 and November 1. Disaster management coordinators from twenty one countries will meet to discuss preparations for a Bird Flu outbreak in the region.

This activity is driven in part by recent estimates of a worst-case death toll. The UN’s senior coordinator for avian and human influenza has said that a pandemic could lead to the deaths of between 5 million and 150 million people worldwide.

Australia’s federal health minister, Mr Tony Abbot, has warned that a pandemic could also kill thousands of Australians. He commented, ‘It’s hard to imagine any terrorist attack, short of a nuclear bomb in a major city, that would have a comparable impact.’
The Microgenix technology can play a valuable role in preventing the spread of the disease and mitigating the impact of a pandemic. If enough Microgenix air sterilizers can be manufactured and deployed in time, the technology could help keep essential services running, supplement other measures like vaccination and quarantine, and save countless lives.




Microgenix Global technical director writes to Sydney Morning Herald about Bird Flu threat. TOP

Mr Andy Beckett knows a thing or two about the spread of airborne pathogens from his days advising the Ministry of Defence in the UK. He expressed his alarm over the threat of Bird Flu in a recent letter, and also pointed out that Microgenix technology offers a unique 'third way' to help control an outbreak of Bird Flu. Current preparations focus on vaccination and quarantine. Microgenix technology provides a powerful new tool that adds the option of Interception and Elimination.
Here is the content of his letter:

Dear Sir,

Your article ‘If the chickens come home to roost’ (Business, Sept 12) highlights the potential economic impact of a Bird Flu pandemic.

An additional point: to date, mitigation plans have focused on vaccines and quarantine. Vaccines may prevent many deaths, but quarantine will compound the economic problems. If people cannot travel, meet, work and play, there will be tremendous additional costs to the economy.
There is a third measure that could reduce this.

The patented Microgenix technology owned by the ASX-listed company AFT Corporation kills airborne microbes in enclosed spaces with an efficiency greater than 99%.

Fitting Microgenix systems in buildings or transport services used by the public would significantly reduce transmission rates and assist in controlling outbreaks. This measure would also help maintain public confidence and thus reduce the economic impact.

In addition, the Microgenix technology could ensure that parliament, the healthcare system, the security forces, key service providers and so on were able to continue functioning in the event of a major outbreak.
These measures would help reduce the risk of the severe economic consequences described in your article. Society needs to act now; leave it until a pandemic starts and it will be too late.

Yours sincerely,
Andy Beckett BSc CPhys

Technical Director
Microgenix-Global Division
AFT Corporation