Conference warns of possible bird flu fallout

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BURLINGTON, Ont. — A potential bird flu pandemic was the subject of discussion at a recent police services board conference here.

Dr. Michael Mills and OPP Sgt. Andy Taylor warned delegates to prepare for the worst, should the deadly avian flu reach Canada. The experts suggested as many as four million Ontarians could become inflicted with avian flu and deaths could be as high as 7,000-20,000 in Ontario alone.

They also warned the transportation of food would be interrupted and the U.S. border could be closed to shipments.

“If trucks aren’t flowing, there will be nothing on the shelves and food shortages could create civil disorder,” Taylor said, adding shipments of food, medicine and fuel may have to be guarded by police.

The Canadian Trucking Alliance and other trucking associations have been developing contingency plans in preparation for a possible avian flu outbreak.

– With files from the Toronto Star

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