France: military coordinates flu fight
In addition to plans for countering industrial espionage, terrorism and cyberwar, the Ministry of Defense is also working on plans for combating the flu pandemic
When you enter the Hôpital Foch in Suresnes near Paris (Hauts-de-Seine), the first thing you notice are the coarse orange posters with which the Ministry of Health wants to inoculate the population with behavioral measures to prevent the new A/H1N1 flu. Those who want to escape the disease should wash their hands regularly, use a handkerchief to sneeze, and call the doctor when they notice the first signs of infection.
At the hospital, two members of the medical staff had been infected with the H1N1 virus at the end of July. Twenty patients at risk of infection were placed in quarantines and treated with the antiviral drug Tamiflu. In addition, a crisis team was established, which called the senior staff together every day at 3 p.m. for a situation briefing. All employees of the affected pulmonary department had to wear masks. Those who showed flu symptoms were immediately examined and isolated at home. After 11 days, the safety inspections were lifted again.