EU states gear up for possible flu pandemic

EUROPEAN Union states yesterday tested communications procedures in case of a public health emergency.

However, an EU health agency said there is little chance of an imminent bird flu pandemic and advised Europeans not to panic.

Europe’s emergency services will be tested over the coming months to discover just how prepared they are to deal with a human flu pandemic that could potentially hospitalise up to two million people and kill up to 500,000 in Europe.