News Roundup -- Measles and Bird Flu

Several items of note that appeared during our brief break from posting necessitated by the Center for Bioethics' 10th Anniversary Symposium, on the legacy of the Terri Schiavo case...

• The New York Times series 'Diseases on the Brink' (which we discussed previously) wrapped up Sunday with an extensive package examining measles eradication efforts worldwide. Of particular note is this graphic illustrating immunization rates by country. It's no surprise that the nations with inadequate measles vaccination levels are nearly all in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, mirroring the trend shared with other vaccinations and most medical interventions.

• Yesterday, the Times also had a provocative 'What If?' piece that asked avian flu experts and government officials about the possibility of administering poultry flu vaccines to humans in a worst-case scenario. Described in the story as 'aghast' at the possibility, NIAID Director Dr. Anthony Fauci is quoted saying, "It's not even on the table." Others interviewed suggest that poultry vaccines might be of some benefit, but they could only be considered for humans in the most catastrophic circumstances. By any estimation, the scientific, production, safety, and ethical issues are so enormous that it's hard to imagine any scenario in which this would actually occur.

• Speaking of avian flu and worst-case scenarios, ABC has quickly assembled a TV movie on the topic, just in time for the May 'sweeps'. "Fatal Contact: Bird Flu in America" will air next Tuesday, May 9 at 8 PM eastern. The ABC press release is available here, as are a number of photos from the film overflowing with actors in biohazard suits. Despite ABC's assurances that the film will contribute to public understanding of the topic, many in the public health and medical communities are wondering whether the film is more likely to scare rather than inform, as this AP story printed in the Philadelphia Inquirer explains.