Back in May, Tony Abbott
delivered a stark warning about the bird flu pandemic – or what he
called the “far-from-merely-speculative influenza emergency which
could dwarf the health consequences of a conventional terrorist
attack.” The scary speech, delivered at a conference on infectious
diseases, barely registered a blip on the radar. But the SMH reports today that
American risk communication consultants Jody Lanard and Peter
Sandman have written a detailed, “glowing”, analysis of Abbott’s address. Hugh White
also praised the Health Minister’s candid talk on the threat we face in
yesterday’s ominously titled “Prepare now for the pandemic and the
panic.”

Contained in Tony’s speech was a stark warning that an outbreak of bird flu could be a
“worldwide biological version of the Indian Ocean Tsunami.” Abbott said
that the WHO has stated that Australia is as well prepared for a flu
pandemic as “any country in the world.” But, he warned, if a deadly flu
pandemic ever seems imminent, “no preparations will be enough.” So far, said Abbott, Australia’s health security is in good
hands – which should be some consolation to those “tempted to dwell on
the fear and confusion which would inevitably accompany a deadly
scourge.”