William Penn Life, 2006 (41. évfolyam, 2-12. szám)
2006-03-01 / 3. szám
Magyar Matters Government tries to ease concerns after discovery of bird flu in Hungary from The Budapest Sun BUDAPEST - Avian flu has reached Hungary after three dead wild swans found in Bács-Kiskun County last week tested positively for the deadly virus. Another two were found several days later, the government announced after an extraordinary meeting in Parliament. Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány said Feb 15 that there was no reason to worry or to ban poultry, as avian flu was an epidemic threatening animals and, thus far, the risks to humans were minimal. However, he also asked the public to keep away from dead or ill birds and report them immediately on a government hotline set up for this purpose. The three swans found in the south of the country were confirmed as having the H5 strain of avian influence by the European Union's executive branch. Philip Tod, EU spokesman for health and consumer protection, said that Hungary was asked to adhere to general EU rules and to take certain precautionary measures, as have other EU members where the virus is suspected, to protect residents from avian influenza. "As a precautionary measure, the area where the dead birds were found will be closed to road traffic and the movement of poultry will be banned in a three-kilometer protection zone while surveillance will be introduced over the surrounding 10km area," Gyurcsány said. The Hungarian National Public Health and Medical Officers' Service announced that it was following a pandemic management plan published last October, which adheres to the World Health Organization's awareness program. Currently phase three of the plan is in operation, signifying that there have been no cases in Europe of the virus being transferred from birds to humans and no cases of human to human transfers at all. The prime minister said that a vaccine was available to protect people in close contact with birds should the virus infect the domestic stock. According to the National Center for Epidemiology, poultry is still safe to eat, as long as it is cooked thoroughly. Opponents outline goals before election from The Budapest Sun Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsány and opposition leader Viktor Orbán both outlined their goals for the following four years, should they be elected. Gyurcsány explained at the Socialist's (MSzP) national board meeting that Hungary has to choose between serving the needs of social justice, or serving private rather than public interests. Opposition leader Orbán, on the other hand, claimed that the choice lies between "whether we shall build the bridges of Hungarian solidarity, or whether we continue the laissez faire capitalist jungle fight for daily survival." According to Orbán, the next cabinet should build a social market economy, declare solidarity with respect for work, as well as protect Hungarian entrepreneurs, farmers, cropland and homes. Fidesz national council president László Kövér added that "the past four years were not only a wasted period, but were also a step backward in many respects." Elsewhere, according to a Median survey, the Prime Minister's appraisal of the state of the nation in Parliament was better received among potential voters than Fidesz leader Viktor Orbán's assessment, with 39 percent preferring Gyurcsány's speech, and 31percent finding agreement with Orbán's evaluation. _____In Brief _____ McKeesport to host March 15 commemoration McKEESPORT, PA - Members and friends of the WPA are cordially invited to attend a special program commemorating Hungarian Independence Day (March 15) to be held at the McKeesport Hungarian Social Club, 3004 Walnut St., McKeesport. The program begins at 3:00 p.m. with a social hour to follow. Exhibit showcases legacy of AHF NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ - “The Hungarian Legacy in America”, an exhibition presenting the 50-year history of the American Hungarian Foundation, will be on display at the AHF’s museum in New Brunswick until March 26. The exhibit traces the AHF’s history from its founding in 1955 at Elmhurst College in Illinois, through its move to its present home in New Jersey, and to the opening of the AHF’s museum, library and archives facilities in 1989. The exhibit will be open during normal museum hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; and Sunday, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. For more information, call the AHF at 732- 846-5777. Do you have news about the Hungarian community you want to share? If so, please submit your story or information to: John E. Lovász, Publications Editor, William Penn Association, 709 Brighton Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15233. Or, you can submit your information via email to: jlovasz@williannpennassodation.org. William Penn Life, March 2006 7
