Homeland Security: "inspectors lack training"

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 Homeland Security officers say they're not ready for bird flu

WASHINGTON A union official is saying Homeland Security Department inspectors at U-S airports lack training about bird flu.

An official of the National Association of Agriculture Employees says live birds in the luggage of a passenger from Vietnam this week were mishandled at Kennedy International Airport.

A Homeland Security spokeswoman says inspectors routinely have stopped and screened passengers and fowl entering the United States from flu-afflicted areas.

The union official says inspectors have gotten only scant training on how to handle possible bird flu carriers. He predicts that it will be "like Katrina," saying that nothing will be done until it's too late.

One senior Homeland Security official says training would be increased when a domestic bird flu outbreak appears imminent.

http://www.wsmv.com/Global/story.asp?S=4803659

* They intend to train them, to close the barn doors after the horses get out.

Edited by Rick - April 22 2006 at 1:42am

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Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Homeland Security: "inspectors lack training" Posted: April 22 2006 at 1:40am
	Homeland Security officers say they're not ready for bird flu WASHINGTON A union official is saying Homeland Security Department inspectors at U-S airports lack training about bird flu. An official of the National Association of Agriculture Employees says live birds in the luggage of a passenger from Vietnam this week were mishandled at Kennedy International Airport. A Homeland Security spokeswoman says inspectors routinely have stopped and screened passengers and fowl entering the United States from flu-afflicted areas. The union official says inspectors have gotten only scant training on how to handle possible bird flu carriers. He predicts that it will be "like Katrina," saying that nothing will be done until it's too late. One senior Homeland Security official says training would be increased when a domestic bird flu outbreak appears imminent. http://www.wsmv.com/Global/story.asp?S=4803659 * They intend to train them, to close the barn doors after the horses get out. Edited by Rick - April 22 2006 at 1:42am

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: April 22 2006 at 1:48am
	Posted on Sat, Apr. 22, 2006 AP "Scaffa, a Homeland Security agriculture specialist at JFK, said inspectors have gotten only scant training on how to handle possible bird flu carriers. Official guidance generally consist of updates on where the flu has spread, and a 30-minute video that advises wearing protective masks and gloves when dealing with risky passengers or cargo, she said. (excerpt) "Otherwise, DHS has not done a thing," Scaffa said" During the incident Thursday night at JFK, a Homeland Security agriculture inspector found three cages of 12 birds hidden inside luggage of a China Airlines passenger from Vietnam, according to a report provided by Scaffa. A Customs officer took the birds. Their cages were placed in a cardboard box and taken to an interrogation and search room for safeguarding overnight, the report shows. Trevano said officers did so after consulting with an Agriculture Department veterinarian. She said the inspectors wore respiratory masks and latex gloves during the incident and disinfected the area after the cages were removed. "We followed the procedures," she said. Scaffa said she believes the birds should not have been stored in a room generally used for other kinds of suspicious travelers. "We've potentially exposed the whole airport, the whole country, potentially," Scaffa said. http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/living/health/14404415.htm Edited by Rick - April 22 2006 at 1:50am