Involuntary quarantine an option if swine flu explodes into epidemic28 Apr 2009
CLG_News
28 Apr 2009 http://www.legitgov.org/ All links are here:
http://www.legitgov.org/#breaking_news Involuntary quarantine an
option if swine flu explodes into epidemic 28 Apr 2009 Quarantine
may seem the stuff of mediocre melodramas, but if the swine flu
explodes into an epidemic, involuntary isolation could become a
reality for more than a few unlucky Americans... The federal
government can declare a state of emergency. But the power to isolate
or quarantine citizens, rests in the hands of the states, or in
some cases, local governments. In a health emergency, people can
be forced into isolation or quarantine without the government getting
a court order first. [See CLG items: DoD to carry out 'military
missions' during pandemic, WMD attack 08 Mar 2009 and DoD to 'augment
civilian law' during pandemic or bioterror attack 11 May 2007.]
California declares a state of emergency over swine flu --Governor,
L.A.
County declare state of emergency 28 Apr 2009 Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
(R) today proclaimed a state of emergency over the spread of swine
flu, expediting state agency responses to the outbreak. The
proclamation orders all state agencies to use staff and equipment
to help the Department of Public Health under coordination of the
California Emergency Management Agency. The order suspends rules
requiring competitive bids for services, material, personnel and
equipment needed to respond to this [US generated] outbreak and
waives some certification requirements for public health laboratories
to help in the states expansion of testing capabilities. [Heads up!
US pharma-terrorists are poised to make an even bigger killing than
those who benefited from the 9/11 terror attacks (Rudy Giuliani,
Lucky Larry), the Iraq-Afghanistan-Pakistan oil/gas/opium pipelines
(Bush, Cheney Halliburton, etc.), and the Wall Street bailout.]
KBR awarded Homeland Security contract worth up to $385M 24 Jan
2006 KBR said Tuesday it has been awarded a contingency contract
from the Department of Homeland Security to supports its Immigration
and Customs Enforcement facilities in the event of an emergency.
The maximum total value of the contract is $385 million and consists
of a 1-year base period with four 1-year options. The contract
provides for establishing temporary detention and processing
capabilities to expand existing ICE Detention and Removal Operations
Program facilities in the event of an emergency influx of immigrants
into the U.S., or to support the rapid development of new programs,
KBR said. The contract may also provide migrant detention support
to other government organizations in the event of an immigration
emergency, as well as the development of a plan to react to a
national emergency, such as a natural disaster, the company said.
Obama seeks $1.5 billion for swine flu 28 Apr 2009 President Barack
Obama asked Congress on Tuesday for an additional $1.5 billion to
fight swine flu as the confirmed caseload jumped to 65 people across
six states in what doctors fear may become a pandemic. Lawmakers
convened an emergency hearing on Capitol Hill to assess the
government's preparedness for a more severe outbreak.
Scientists in global race to turn swine flu virus into a vaccine
--Pharmaceutical companies prepare for WHO call to start producing
prevention treatment for swine flu 28 Apr 2009 A global race to
prepare a vaccine 'against' swine flu was under way yesterday as
health officials confirmed that the disease had spread to at least
seven countries. The World Health Organisation has contacted vaccine
manufacturers, who are on standby to produce the vaccine should the
virus continue to spread. A WHO spokesman said it had not yet advised
pharmaceutical companies to begin producing a vaccine, but he
confirmed that work had already begun at collaborating laboratories
in the US.
CDC to mix avian, human flu viruses in pandemic study 14 Jan 2004
One of the worst fears of infectious disease experts is that the
H5N1 avian influenza virus now circulating in parts of Asia will
combine with a human-adapted flu virus to create a deadly new flu
virus that could spread around the world. The Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) will soon launch experiments designed
to combine the H5N1 virus and human flu viruses and then see how
the resulting hybrids affect animals. The goal is to assess the
chances that such a "reassortant" virus will emerge and how dangerous
it might be.
Army Investigating Disappearance of Lethal Pathogen at Fort Detrick
23 Apr 2009 The U.S. Army is finishing an investigation into the
disappearance of three vials of a potentially lethal pathogen from
the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases at
Fort Detrick, Md., the Washington Post reported today. The inquiry
begun in 2008 by the service's Criminal Investigation Command. The
Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus is considered a possible tool
of bioterrorism, but poses a significantly smaller threat than
anthrax and other disease agents handled at the institute.
U.S. officials want "swine" out of flu name 28 Apr 2009 U.S. pork
producers are finding that the name of the virus spreading from
Mexico is affecting their business, prompting U.S. officials to
argue for changing the name from swine flu. At a news briefing,
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and Agriculture Secretary
Tom Vilsack took pains to repeatedly refer to the flu as the "H1N1
virus." Israel has already rejected the name swine flu, and opted
to call it "Mexico flu." Jewish dietary laws forbid eating pork.
[Right, it should be called 'Baxter's flu,' or 'Fort Detrick flu,'
depending on which bioterrorists created it.--LRP]
'The swine flu helps illustrate the threat of bioweapons.' Israel
Updates Biodefense Program to Counter Terror Threat 27 Apr 2009
Israel has updated its biological defense efforts to counter threats
from terrorists and regional rivals such as Iran, the Jerusalem
Post reported yesterday. Responding last year to warnings about the
danger posed by weaponized disease agents, the Israeli Defense
Ministry launched a new biological defense research effort at the
Ramle-based headquarters of its Home Front Command. "Israel has the
best solution to this threat in the world," Giora Eiland, former
head of the Israeli national security council, said yesterday. "I
can say with certainty that Israel has prepared a series of steps
designed to deal with biological warfare." ['Weaponized disease
agents.' Who would do that?]
CDC: 'Fully expect we will see deaths' 28 Apr 2009 U.S. health
official said at least five people are hospitalized with swine flu
in the United States and deaths are likely. "I fully expect we will
see deaths from this infection," as swine flu cases are investigated,
said Richard Besser, acting director of the federal Centers for
Disease Control.
Swine flu 'unstoppable,' WHO warns --World Health Organisation says
crisis is at 'turning period' and urges governments to plan for
mass outbreaks 28 Apr 2009 The World Health Organisation warned
today that swine flu can no longer be contained, as the virus spread
to Asia and the Middle East, with the first cases confirmed in New
Zealand and Israel. The virus, an apparently new strain of the H1N1
flu, has now been confirmed in seven countries, and suspected
outbreaks are being investigated in other places including Ireland,
Germany, Italy, Sweden and Denmark.
WHO raises its pandemic alert level on swine flu 28 Apr 2009 The
World Health Organization raised its global alert level Monday,
signaling the swine flu virus was spreading from human to human in
community outbreaks, but it stopped short of declaring a full-blown
pandemic. Mexico health department spokesman Carlos Olmos confirmed
the move by the WHO to raise the alert level from Phase 3 to Phase
4. Putting an alert at Phases 4 or 5 signals that the swine flu
virus is becoming increasingly adept at spreading among humans.
Cases of swine flu confirmed in Marin County 28 Apr 2009 (CA) A
60-year-old Marin County woman and her 20-month-old granddaughter
have been diagnosed with the Bay Area's first confirmed cases of
swine flu, local health officials said Wednesday afternoon.
Swine flu fear for hundreds of NY children --US has more than 60
reported cases of swine flu, mostly in New York City 28 Apr 2009
'Many hundreds' of New York children are sick with suspected swine
flu, it was reported tonight. The news was revealed by city's Health
Commissioner Thomas Frieden. The city's mayor Michael Bloomberg
said the children were separate from those in a suspected outbreak
at a private school in Queens. Mr Bloomberg said that two people
were being treated in hospital with suspected swine flu - a child
in the Bronx and an adult in Brooklyn.
NJ identifies 5 probable swine flu cases 27 Apr 2009 New Jersey
health officials say they've identified five probable cases of swine
flu in people who recently traveled to Mexico and California. The
New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services said Monday
that all have mild forms of the flu and none has been hospitalized.
The department says it's arranging for confirmatory testing at the
federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
CDC Testing for Possible Cases of Swine Flu in Conn. 28 Apr 2009
Connecticut has two probable swine flu cases that have been sent
to the CDC for testing, Gov. M. Jodi Rell (R) said Tuesday. One is
from an adult in Stratford and the other is an adult in Southbury,
both of whom recently traveled to Mexico.
Concerns about swine flu also closed East Haddam schools after two
students who recently returned from a family trip became ill.
Texas teen recovering from swine flu 28 Apr 2009 High school senior
Hayden Henshaw went to his doctor late last week suffering the
classic achy, sniffly feverishness of a flu bug... The 18-year-old
was among the first confirmed cases of a new flu that combines bird,
swine and human viruses. He and two other classmates at Steele High
School were the earliest confirmed cases in Texas, which now has
six confirmed statewide, and among the first reported cases in the
United States.
UK on alert after suspected swine flu hits Manchester 27 Apr 2009
Health authorities in Manchester are carrying out urgent tests on
a suspected case of swine flu as governments around the world move
to contain the deadly virus.
Officials said tests were being carried out on a Canadian woman who
displayed flu-like symptoms while on a visit to Sale in Greater
Manchester.
Sebelius Confirmed, Completing Obama's Cabinet With Flu Leader 28
Apr 2009 Kathleen Sebelius, the Kansas governor who sees her mission
as overhauling U.S. health care, was confirmed today as secretary
of Health and Human Services, the agency directing U.S. efforts
against swine flu. The Senate voted 65-31 to confirm Sebelius, a
two-term Democratic governor.
Satire: Outbreak of Swine Flu in US Traced to Rush Limbaugh By R J
Shulman 28 Apr 2009 The World Health Organization has called it a
"public health emergency of international concern. The swine flu
virus has already infected millions in the United States, sparking
worldwide alarm. The Center for Disease Control in Atlanta announced
on Tuesday that they have traced the origin of the flu to talk show
host Rush Limbaugh. "This is extremely troubling," said Sarah
Tinsdale of the CDC, "as Limbaugh has contact with millions of
Americans every day." (Satire!)
FAA Memo: Feds Knew NYC Flyover Would Cause Panic --Threatened
Federal Sanctions Against NYPD, Secret Service, FBI and Mayor's
Office If Secret Ever Got Out [Wow, that's some 'photo op!'] 28 Apr
2009 A furious President Barack Obama ordered an internal review
of Monday's low-flying photo op over the Statue of Liberty. CBS 2
HD has discovered the feds will have plenty to question. Federal
officials knew that sending two fighter jets and Air Force One to
buzz ground zero and Lady Liberty might set off nightmarish fears
of a 9/11 replay, but they still ordered the photo-op kept secret
from the public.
In a memo obtained by CBS 2 HD the Federal Aviation Administration's
James Johnston said the agency was aware of "the possibility of
public concern regarding DoD (Department of Defense) aircraft flying
at low altitudes" in an around New York City. But they demanded
total secrecy from the NYPD, the Secret Service, the FBI and even
the mayor's office and threatened federal sanctions if the secret
got out.
Phantom of al-Qaeda arrested 28 Apr 2009 The Iraqi government has
hailed the capture of a man accused of being the al-Qaeda [al-CIAduh]
leader in Iraq, even as the US expresses skepticism that he even
existed. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Tuesday hailed the arrest
of Abu Omar al-Baghdadi and referred to him as 'the head of evil'
and the leader of the al-Qaeda-affiliated umbrella group, the
so-called "Islamic State of Iraq". [See: Iraq al-Qaeda leader US
general said 'never existed' is 'captured' in Baghdad By Lori Price
24 Apr 2009.]
US Lawmakers Seek to Sanction Iran's Gasoline Suppliers 28 Apr 2009
U.S.
President Barack Obama would have new authority to sanction foreign
firms that sell gasoline and other oil products to Iran under
legislation introduced Tuesday by a bipartisan group of 25 U.S.
senators seeking to halt Iran's push to develop nuclear weaponry.
If the bill becomes law, the U.S. president would have clear authority
to impose economic sanctions on foreign firms that sell, ship or
insure gasoline or other refined oil products to Iran.
US close to decision on future of detainees 28 Apr 2009 The Obama
administration is close to deciding how many prisoners currently
held in Guantanamo Bay will be freed and resettled in the United
States and other countries, according to attorney general Eric
Holder.
Lawyers try to force KBR exec to be deposed in suit 28 Apr 2009 An
executive of an Army contractor that has been sued for wrongful
death in federal court can't have it both ways, say attorneys seeking
to compel his deposition. He can't assert on a newspaper editorial
page that his company -- KBR -- had nothing to do with the electrocution
death of a soldier in the shower in Iraq, and then claim he has no
knowledge of the incident. Attorneys who represent the parents of
Staff Sgt. Ryan Maseth filed a motion in federal court yesterday
asking a judge to order William C. Bodie, KBR interim president for
government and infrastructure, to testify in the case.
Explosion kills UK soldier in Afghanistan 28 Apr 2009 The British
Defense Ministry has announced that one of its soldiers has been
killed in a bomb explosion in southern Afghanistan. The ministry
issued a statement on Tuesday saying that the soldier was killed
while patrolling along with members of the Afghan army near Forward
Operating Base Keenan in Helmand.
Reports Slams Pentagon's 'Non-Lethal' Arms Shop: $387 Million Spent,
No Weapons By David Hambling 27 Apr 2009 The Department of Defense
has long talked about the importance of non-lethal weapons -- arms
designed to minimize fatalities and unnecessary damage. But a new
report from the non-partisan Government Accountability Office
comprehensively demolishes the Pentagons Joint Non-lethal Weapons
Program, finding fault with almost every aspect of its work. Years
were spent developing useless systems, weapons were fielded without
proper testing or adequate supplies of ammunition, and countless
millions of dollars were wasted.
Gordon Brown: crucible of terror threatening British streets 27 Apr
2009 Britain is threatened with attack from plots brewed in a new
"crucible of terror" in the border region between Afghanistan and
Pakistan, Gordon Brown warned yesterday. During a surprise visit
to the region, the Prime Minister described the mountains and deserts
between the two troubled countries as a "breeding ground" for terror,
and the "epicentre" of a renewed threat from the combined forces
of Al-Qaeda [al-CIAduh] and the Taliban.
Trio not guilty of helping 7/7 London bombers --Jury clears men of
conspiring with four bombers over London 2005 explosions that killed
52 28 Apr 2009 Three British Muslims were today cleared of helping
the 7 July bombers choose their targets by carrying out a reconnaissance
mission in London seven months before the attacks that killed 52
people and injured almost 1,000. A jury at Kingston crown court
unanimously found Waheed Ali, Sadeer Saleem, and Mohammed Shakil,
all from Beeston, Leeds, not guilty of conspiring with the four
bombers to cause explosions, after deliberating for eight days.
The criminalization of journalism --U.S. prohibited an overflight
by an Air France airliner because journalist was on board By Hernando
Calvo Ospina 23 Apr 2009 Air France Flight 438, from Paris, was to
land at Mexico City at 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 18. Five hours
before landing, the captain's voice announced that U.S. authorities
had prohibited the plane from flying over U.S.
territory. The explanation: among the passengers aboard was a person
who was not welcome in the United States for reasons of national
security.
Penn. Sen. Arlen Specter to Switch to Democratic Party 28 Apr 2009
Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter will switch parties and run for
reelection in November 2010 as a Democrat, he announced today, a
decision that could have wide-ranging consequences for the Senate
and President Obama's agenda.
Specter defection a sharp blow to Republicans 28 Apr 2009 Senator
Arlen Specter's abrupt move to switch allegiance to President Barack
Obama's Democratic Party was a sharp blow to Republicans and will
likely generate more soul-searching for the minority party. His
decision to seek re-election as a Democrat next year was a nakedly
political move to hang on to power.
Quick action! The Clock is Ticking for Polar Bears --Urge the Obama
Administration to Protect Polar Bears and Other Vulnerable Wildlife
(Defenders of Wildlife) 27 Apr 2009 Before leaving office, the Bush
regime rammed through regulatory changes to the Endangered Species
Act that would threaten efforts to save polar bears, wolves, manatees
and more than 1,300 other species from extinction. Please send your
message to Secretaries Salazar and Locke and urge them to reverse
the Bush/Cheney-era changes to the Endangered Species Act.
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Previous lead stories: WHO confirms pandemic alert level raised to
4 27 Apr 2009 The World Health Organisation raised its pandemic
alert level on Monday to phase 4 over the deadly swine flu virus,
indicating the infection can spread between humans to cause
community-level outbreaks.
US military 'posturing itself' to respond to flu outbreak --Military
officials monitor swine flu 27 Apr 2009 Defense Department officials
are monitoring the swine flu situation closely, with their primary
focus on protecting the military population, a senior Pentagon
official said April 27. As officials with the Department of Health
and Human Services lead the U.S. effort, the military is posturing
itself to respond if required, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman
said.
Sanofi-Aventis, Blackwater of bugs: Sanofi Aventis Invests 100
Million Euros In New Facility In Mexico to Produce Seasonal and
Pandemic Influenza Vaccine 19 Mar 2009 Sanofi-aventis, announced
the signing of an agreement with the Mexican authorities to build
a 100 million euro facility to manufacture influenza vaccine in
Mexico. The announcement was made during a ceremony attended by
Felipe Calderon, [unelected] President of Mexico, and Nicolas
Sarkozy, President of France, who was in Mexico City for a State
visit. "By building this new facility, sanofi-aventis is proud to
contribute to the strengthening of Mexico's health infrastructure
and is eager to support Mexico's exemplary commitment to public
health through influenza immunization and pandemic readiness", said
Chris Viehbacher, Chief Executive Officer of sanofiaventis. [Now,
that's what I call foresight! See also: Baxter working on vaccine
to stop swine flu, though admitted sending live pandemic flu viruses
to subcontractor By Lori Price 26 Apr 2009.]
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