Introduction
A mother in Turkey mourns at the grave of her 14-year-old son on Jan. 6, 2006. Three of her four children died from avian flu. They were the first human bird-flu fatalities outside East Asia, where at least 75 people have died. (AP Photo/Murad Sezer)
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As deaths from bird flu continue to mount in Asia — and now threaten Europe — concern about a worldwide epidemic has prompted calls to action at the highest levels of government. Last month, in response to President Bush's emergency request, Congress approved $3.8 billion to develop new vaccines and stockpile anti-flu medications. Some critics say it's too little too late. If a pandemic hit tomorrow, the nation would have drugs to treat only very few people, no approved vaccine and a public health system that is woefully unprepared for a pandemic. With each new case of human infection, the danger increases that bird flu could easily pass among humans, health authorities warn. But some scientists doubt the virus will mutate into one that is easily transmitted from human to human. So far, most victims had close contact with poultry. But even skeptics agree a flu pandemic is inevitable at some point, and that the nation needs to shore up its response.
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Dec. 02, 2022 |
Long COVID |
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Oct. 29, 2021 |
COVID-19 Vaccines |
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Jan. 08, 2021 |
Health and Society |
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Nov. 20, 2020 |
The Public Health System |
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Jul. 17, 2020 |
The Pandemic Economy |
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Jun. 26, 2020 |
Zoonotic Diseases |
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May 08, 2020 |
CTE and Athletes |
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Jan. 24, 2020 |
Conquering Rare Diseases |
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Sep. 13, 2019 |
Measles Resurgence |
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Nov. 30, 2018 |
Obesity Crisis |
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Jun. 15, 2018 |
Superbug Threat |
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Jun. 02, 2017 |
Pandemic Threat |
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Jul. 22, 2016 |
Mosquito-Borne Disease |
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Feb. 13, 2015 |
Emerging Infectious Diseases |
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Nov. 08, 2013 |
Lyme Disease |
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Jan. 06, 2012 |
Preventing Disease |
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Apr. 02, 2010 |
Breast Cancer |
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Sep. 12, 2008 |
Heart Health |
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Aug. 24, 2007 |
Fighting Superbugs |
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Jan. 13, 2006 |
Avian Flu Threat |
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Jun. 20, 2003 |
Fighting SARS |
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Apr. 05, 2002 |
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome |
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Mar. 09, 2001 |
Diabetes Epidemic |
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Mar. 02, 2001 |
Mad Cow Disease |
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Dec. 24, 1999 |
Asthma Epidemic |
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Aug. 05, 1983 |
Multiple Sclerosis |
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May 27, 1983 |
Chronic Pain: The Hidden Epidemic |
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Sep. 24, 1976 |
Influenza Control |
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Sep. 16, 1970 |
Virus Research |
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Mar. 14, 1956 |
Progress Against Polio |
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May 25, 1955 |
Degenerative Diseases |
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May 25, 1949 |
Chronic Disease |
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Mar. 01, 1924 |
The Foot and Mouth Disease |
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