Quick Govt Action Key for Bird Flu Fight

According to this article, in a review of Turkey's handling of the 2006 avian influenza outbreak that killed four people, researchers determined that "quick government action and clear communication with the public are needed to contain bird flu cases in humans".

Though healthcare workers were not fully prepared with emergency disease plans and there was reportedly poor coordination between human and animal health services prior to the outbreak, the rapid response overcame the impact of this under-preparedness. These findings were based on interviews with doctors, nurses, and officials who were actively involved in dealing with the outbreak.

Fears about their own and their families' health also affected how workers responded, underscoring the need to communicate risks to front-line workers, the researchers said.