Japan Prepares For Flu Pandemics
The National Police Agency released an action plan this week for dealing with outbreaks of new types of influenza to which people have little immunity.
Health experts fear that new types of influenza, such as bird flu, could soon hit large portions of the world population. The action plan lays out specific measures for the NPA and prefectural police to take if an outbreak becomes a pandemic.
As soon as an outbreak is suspected, a special task force will be set up at the NPA and the prime minister’s office, where NPA officials will be dispatched.
Police will then be equipped with masks and other protective gear while working with medical institutions so vaccines can be given to health care officials and others most likely to be exposed to a new flu outbreak.
