Foreign Policy

Are Our Soldiers In Iraq Safe From The Bird Flu?

January 12, 2006 ⋅  E-Mail Article ⋅  Print Article ⋅ Post a comment

Are American troops going to be exposed to the Avian Influenza virus currently sweeping across Asia and now into Turkey and other surrounding countries? How is the American government planning to protect these brave men and woman from this deadly virus? Most health professionals say the government has no clue.

A top UN body has advised that an outbreak of the deadly bird flu virus, which is now rapidly making its way across Turkey, could become ingrained in the Turkish society while also spreading into nearby states such as Iraq, and Iran. A U.N. official stated, “The highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 could become endemic in Turkey and poses a serious risk to neighboring countries.”

Anyone who has observed the spread of this virus has watched as reports of infection slowly began occurring outside of China, and Indonesia. The virus has now reached central Asia, Eastern Europe, and now the tip of the Middle East. However, the virus has apparently begun to spread rapidly through Turkey and is now considered a danger to individuals in and around Iraq.

Our soldiers are stationed in Iraq, this puts them in a danger zone in regards to the threat of this unique virus. The American government is spending millions trying to better understand this virus. However, as of right now there is no cure, only concern, and theories. We are so unsure of this virus that we actually do not have a national plan in place yet to deal with a massive outbreak of this virus.

As of right now, the only hope of defense is a reliance on the Tamiflu vaccine, but recently deaths have been reported of individuals who fell ill and utilized the vaccine. Many are now wondering if the virus has a mutated strain or if it has become resistant to the treatment.

So again the question must be asked, in how much danger have we placed these individuals? How can we protect these soldiers from an enemy we have no defense for? Why has there not been more concern for our soldiers in regards to this issue? If your loved one became ill, how would he, or she, be treated? Would they even be allowed back into the States, or would they be observed in some military hospital half way around the world?

These are answers they deserve, and us, the concerned citizens deserve.

Bird Flu Outbreak, Deadly

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