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| Sunday, 14 November 2004 |
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Junior Observer |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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From abroad Flu season is on 'The flu (influenza) is an infection of the throat and lungs. The symptoms include chills, fever, achy muscles, cough, headache, tiredness, sore throat or watery eyes.' It's flu season in the USA and many people are getting ready for their yearly flu shots. The shots help people, especially people over 65 and babies from six to 23 months old, fight the illness. This year, some are worried that a shortage of flu shots may mean more people will catch the flu. But public health officials say that most people don't really need a flu shot anyway. They say that there are enough vaccines for the people who really need them - the very young and the elderly. Why the shortage? The shortage occurred after the licence of a British company that makes flu vaccines was suspended. The company was supposed to supply about 46 million to 48 million flu vaccines, but couldn't, because the vaccines were contaminated (spoilt). Because it is hard to make the vaccine and only two companies were allowed to sell the vaccines in the USA, a shortage occurred. What is the flu? The flu (influenza) is an infection of the throat and lungs. The symptoms include chills, fever, achy muscles, cough, headache, tiredness, sore throat or watery eyes. Infants aged six to 23 months, those 65 and older, and people who are already sick are the most at risk of catching the flu. It is spread through contact with people who have the flu, through coughing and sneezing. If you get sick, the best thing to do is get a lot of rest and drink fluids like water and juice. The flu season in the USA usually lasts between October and April. About five to 20 per cent of the population catches the flu each year. About 36,000 die from the flu and complications caused by it. Time for Kids **** Tips to staying healthy: * Wash hands frequently, especially after coughing or sneezing (while covering your mouth with your hands) and before eating. * Don't let your mouth touch public telephones or drinking fountains. * Eat a healthy, balanced diet that includes lots of fruits and vegetables. * Don't share food, utensils, lip balm or soda cans with others. * Get lots of sleep! * Get plenty of exercise - this will make you stronger. * Drink plenty of water. ***************** Worried parents track children with military technology TOKYO - Japanese parents worried about their children will be able to put military technology in their schoolbags to track them down at all times, amid a nationwide preoccupation with security. The schoolbags went on sale from this month and are equipped with the Global Positioning System, the satellite technology used by the US military along with civilian applications. Parents will be able to call operators or log onto an Internet page to pinpoint the location of their children - or, at least, their bags. Japan prides itself on being one of the world's safest countries, but spending on personal security has shot up in recent years, particularly after a former mental patient stabbed to death eight children at an Osaka school in 2001. "With increasing crimes involving children these days, mothers are worrying about their children's safety on their way from school," said Kyoko Minakawa, spokeswoman for bagmaker Kyowa which is selling the bags. She said Kyowa teamed up to design the bag with security company Secom, which will have staff ready to be dispatched to locations requested by parents. Some 10,000 bags will go on sale through three department stores and Kyowa's 63 shops. The initial price will be 33,000 yen (310 dollars) each. While the tracking technology will be sold as part of the schoolbags, it can also be removed and is small enough to fit into children's pockets. - AFP |
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| Politics | Produced by Lake House |
