Major gaps in European plans for flu pandemic: study

0 Comments | AFP, October, 2007

GENEVA (AFP) — European plans to cope with a possible flu pandemic have major weaknesses which must be tackled urgently, a study published by the World Health Organisation said Tuesday.

The study of 29 European countries by scientists at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine highlighted shortcomings in preparation for vaccine and antiviral drug distribution, insufficient stockpiles, and incoherent plans for border controls.

"Our findings show that even in Europe, which may be better prepared than some regions, considerable gaps and inconsistencies persist and several areas of operational planning have not been addressed," the study published in the October issue of the WHO Bulletin said.

The authors concluded that "the remaining gaps and...