The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday February 23, 2007 - 19 Scientist to speak on pandemic possibility A flu virus expert will talk about the possibility of a deadly worldwide outbreak and how to prepare for one at the next meeting of the Canadian Club of Halton Peel. Scientist Kirsty Duncan will discuss pandemic influenza as the guest speaker at the Oakville Conference Centre, 2515 Wyecroft Rd., Oakville, on Thursday, March 22. Since 2003, more than 160 deaths from the potentially lethal Asian strain of the H5N1 bird-flu virus have been limited mostly to Southeast Asia. Recently, 160,000 turkeys were slaughtered in Suffolk, England to control an outbreak of H5N1 at a factory farm; no human infections have been reported there. However, experts say the outbreak illustrates the ease with which H5N1 in migrating flocks of wild birds is infecting domestic bird populations. Duncan, an environmental and human health expert, professor, author and international speaker, will discuss the current threat of a pandemic, how the worldwide 1918 influenza impacted society and business, and what we can do to prepare for a modern pandemic, which some believe could kill millions of people. In Canada, tens of thousands could die. The 1918 Spanish Flu is estimated to have killed 20-40 million people. In a modern pandemic it is estimated that the workforce will be reduced by 25-50 per cent for several weeks at a time in repeated waves of infection, over the course of one year, as people fall ill or have to look after others who are ill or children whose schools have closed. Duncan last spoke at a Canadian Club of Halton Peel dinner three years ago on her expedition to Norway that searched for traces of the killer 1918 Spanish Flu virus. She wrote a book about that outbreak. Duncan is a piano and bagpipe player, highland dance teacher, triathlete and marathon runner who has been nominated four times for Canada's Top 40 Under 40 and twice for the Order of Ontario. The Canadian Club dinner starts at 7 p.m. Cost to attend is $15 for students, $30 for Canadian Club members and $40 for non-members/guests. Seating is limited. For tickets or more information, call 905-827-6302 or send an e-mail to: bwylie@globalserve.ne. The Canadian Club's website is www.canadianclub.ca. Daffodil Days pre-sales now happening A symbol of hope in the fight against cancer, the daffodil represents the courage of cancer patients, the compassion of volunteers and the commitment of researchers dedicated to conquering the disease. Every April since 1957, Canadian Cancer Society volunteers sell bright, cheerful daffodils to help fund cancer research and to provide important information support services for people living with cancer. The Canadian Cancer Society Oakville Unit is now taking pre-sale daffodil orders. Daffodils are available for $6 a bunch or two bunches for $10. There are 10 blooms per bunch. The 2007 Daffodil Days campaign takes place Thursday, March 29 to Sunday, April 1. To order call the Canadian Cancer Society Oakville Unit at 905-845-5231. The Canadian Cancer Society is a national, community-based organization of volunteers, whose mission is the eradication of cancer and the enhancement of the quality of life of people living with cancer. For information call the Oakville Unit at 905-845-5231 or visit www.cancer.ca.