Home

  • Home
    • » e-Newsletters

Experts: U.S. needs top official to head influenza preparedness initiative

Infection Control Monitor, October 14, 2005

Health experts say the United States needs a top official to serve as the head of the bird flu pandemic preparedness initiative, Reuters reports.

But the United States, like so many other countries, are so far behind in preparing for disease outbreaks that it may take years to set up the position, experts told a briefing of Congressional staffers.

The official, supported with authority and money, would oversee the nation's strategy to minimize the effects of bird flu if and when it reaches American shores.

In the meantime, experts say, the United States needs to begin stockpiling antiviral drugs and speed up work on quicker ways to manufacture vaccines.

Most Popular