NEWS: Bird Flu Pandemic Simulation Exercise Planned

This Friday, 21-10-05, a full scale simulation exercise based around an outbreak of avian influenza will be held in Malta. The reason for this is to test the response of the countries emergency services and to make sure they are ready to handle a possible pandemic of the deadly disease, according to Environment Minister George Pillicino.



I really don’t understand how Malta plans on carrying out this simulation, how can you simulate a pandemic? They should really be concentrating on keeping the virus at bay and ensure no outbreaks occur, which will prove to be an extremely hard task but surely the only way forward.

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How can you simulate a pandemic? Even more interesting, how can you simulate a pandemic of a viral infection that doesn't actually exist as of yet?

You know, I am beginning to see a pattern here...on 9-11-2001, while running a simulation of terrorist hijackings of commercial airlines, there is an alleged attack of terrorist hijackings of commercial airlines. On 07-07-2005, while running a simulation of terrorist bombings on London mass transit, there is an alleged attack of terrorist bombings of trains and buses on London's mass transit system. Anyone want to give odds on there being an alleged avian flu outbreak during this latest simulation?

I think this type of simulation would deal more with how various government agencies would respond to widespread outbreaks.