The Avian Flu

Paper Summary:

This paper argues that there is a very real potential for an avian influenza pandemic in the future, yet there remains an insufficient amount of effective vaccine to address the current incarnation of the H5N1 virus. The author suggests, based on this research, that it is useful to develop a broad-based assessment of the realities involved in a potential pandemic in order to provide meaningful and timely responses. The research presented in the paper was examined from biological, psychological and economic sources. The author concludes that it is incumbent on public health officials around the world today to alert their citizenry to the potential for such an outbreak and to take whatever precautions are necessary today to preclude such a disaster.


Outline:
Introduction
Explanation of the Problem
Justification for Using an Interdisciplinary Approach
Identification of Relevant Disciplines
Respective Viewpoints of Relevant Disciplines
Biology
Psychology
Economics
Methodology
Purpose of the Study
Background
General History of the Problem
Disciplines, Perspectives, Evidence, Insights
Logic,
Reasons for Order of Presentation of Disciplines Used
Biological Perspective
Psychological Perspective
Economic Perspective
Integration of the Three Disciplines
Conflicts within a Discipline
Creation of Common Ground with the Disciplines
Integration of Insights
Techniques of Integration Used
Development of New Understanding or Meaning
Conclusion

Table 1: Techniques of Integration Used

From the Paper:

"By the end of 2005, the epidemic of avian influenza had resulted in human cases of the disease in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam. Vietnam was the worst hit, with 93 cases. Of those, 42 died; citing statistics from the World Health Organization, Ford reports that the total number of cases by the end of 2005 was more than 140, with approximately half of these resulting in death (2006). Although sustained communicability of the H5N1 virus from person to person has not been observed, health officials remain cognizant that the H5N1 virus has the potential to mutate rapidly or even combine genetically with a human influenza virus to yield a virulent new strain that could easily spread throughout the global human population (Ford, 2006). "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Barrow, C. J. (2005). Environmental management and development. London: Routledge.
• Ford, B. (2006). Bird flu--The next human pandemic? In Britannica Book of the Year, 2006 [premium service]. Retrieved November 18, 2006, from Encyclopaedia Britannica Online: http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9403622.
• Killingray, D., & Phillips, H. (2003). The Spanish influenza pandemic of 1918-19: New perspectives. New York: Routledge.
• Aguirre, A. A., House, C., Ostfeld, R. S., Pearl, M. C., & Tabor, G. M. (2002). Conservation medicine: Ecological health in practice. New York: Oxford University Press.
• Glassner, B. (1999). Culture of fear: Why Americans are afraid of the wrong things. New York: Basic Books.

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