Toronto must spend $27 million to prepare for flu

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$27 million urged to prepare for flu Jan 30, 2008

Donovan . City hall bureau

Toronto must spend $5 million this year and $22 million next year to

help arm thousands of its workers – including public health staff,

paramedics, police and firefighters – in the event of a flu pandemic,

a report to the city's executive committee recommends.

The report says the bulk of the $5 million, which would come from the

city's emergency planning reserve fund, should be used this year to

order Tamiflu, an antiviral medication that would be stockpiled in

case of a future pandemic. The pill can be used in two ways: to treat

people sick with flu within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms, and as

a protective measure or prophylaxis.

Tamiflu and other antivirals are considered the first line of defence

in a global flu pandemic, which experts say is long overdue.

The shelf life for antiviral drugs is just over four years.

The World Health Organization pandemic alert is at Phase 3, which

means there are cases of human infections of a new subtype of

influenza virus, but no human-to-human spread.

The Toronto report says $606,000 should be spent to begin setting up a

warehousing and distribution system for pandemic influenza supplies,

including masks, soap, chlorine to keep drinking water safe, and the

antiviral.

The report is from Toronto's medical officer of health, McKeown,

city manager Shirley Hoy, and chief financial officer ph

Pennachetti. It calls for Hoy and Pennachetti to come up with " funding

options'' for the remaining $22 million urged for next year.

http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/298686