In The News

Echoes of Panic over Global Disease

Philip Bowring February 17, 2004
Philip Bowring believes lessons from history should inform our current concerns over global epidemics. While epidemics lead to widespread fears and calls for global advisory boards and local action, Bowring asserts that we would be wise to question virologists, journalists, and health officials on the level of threat they suppose looms around the corner. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)...

Indian Doctors Help Fill US Health Care Needs

Steve Raymer February 16, 2004
In the US, Indians and Indian-Americans make up the largest non-Caucasian segment of the American medical community, where they account for one in every 20 practicing doctors. In recent years, they have become a more vocal and visible presence, undertaking charitable activities and political lobbying. But in spite of their community's past success, many Indians are now having difficulties...

City in Dark on Lack of Bird Flu Info

Damar Harsanto February 9, 2004
Despite a tangible threat of bird-flu transmission from neighboring Vietnam and Thailand where 18 deaths have been confirmed so far, the Jakarta administration is not taking sufficient preventive measures. Residents of the nation's capital say the Jakarta Health Agency's information campaign is half-baked – it does not reach all the city's residents and it fails to provide the...

Thai Credibility Shattered by Deceit

February 7, 2004
When David Byrne, EU Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, visited Thailand in mid-January to discuss agriculture and trade issues, his meeting with Thai leaders was considered a mutual success. At the time, Byrne had said EU food safety regulations posed no barrier and that the European market is a lucrative one for Thai exporters. Thai officials gave Byrne the impression that all...

How Dangerous is the Bird Flu?

Laurie Garrett February 6, 2004
In recent weeks the avian flu has emerged as a matter of urgent concern for poultry farmers, health officials, and government leaders in Asian countries. Cases of infected poultry have been reported in China, Vietnam, Thailand, and seven other countries, with widespread culling and bans on chicken exports in many of these. But with fewer than twenty human deaths reported thus far, is this...

Chicken Exports: Watana Threatens Retaliation

February 4, 2004
As more humans are infected by the avian flu in Asia, Thailand's chicken exports are not faring well. Many countries, including Japan, are rejecting Thai chicken exports until they are assured that the avian flu is no longer a problem. Larger-scale commercial farms and some Thai officials are promoting the use of modern, covered chicken houses to contain the spread of the virus. But the...

Thailand Concedes Missteps on Bird Flu

Alan Sipress January 29, 2004
The Thai government has admitted that it fumbled during the early stages of the bird flu outbreak. Yet it is now committed to aggressive action and transparent collaboration. Some Thai farmers are unhappy, however, claiming that if the government had taken the proper steps back in November, when the flu was first discovered, the need for large scale slaughter of chickens, possibly harming the...