Hawaii and Alaska Seen as Entry Points for Avian Influenza

Officials in Hawaii have a detailed, and rather alarming, plan for dealing with pandemic flu should it become an issue.  Plans for converting the airport into a isolation hospital and screening all air traffic passengers are part of an organizational effort to contain bird flu in humans, should the situation mutate into a human to human pandemic.

Hawaiians are concerned because of the isolation of the islands.  With only a week’s worth of food for the population of Hawaii, interruption in cargo transport could become a true issue.  They are also concerned because of the migratory patterns of birds; it is possible Hawaii could be the first state to show bird flu.

Alaska is also concerned for the same reasons.  Considering the areas affected by bird flu, Alaska is also a likely source to show avian influenza though migratory patterns of certain birds.

Hawaii Braces For The Worst

Bird Flu Could Migrate To U.S. – Alaska