Preparing for the Next Pandemic.

AVIAN influenza prevention; COMMUNICABLE diseases; AIDS; HIV; INTERNATIONAL cooperation on public health; PUBLIC health; WORLD health; DEVELOPED countries; EMERGENCY medicine; VIRUSES; DISEASES; MEDICINE; HEALTH; INFLUENZA; PREVENTION of epidemics; SOCIAL history

Focuses on the issue of global preparation and readiness in the face of a widespread influenza outbreak. Review of how influenza pandemics have posed the greatest threat of a worldwide calamity caused by infectious disease since antiquity; Report that recent cases have significantly heightened concern that a near-term pandemic may be imminent as a result of the avian influenza virus currently circulating in Asia; Comparison of avian flu with other widespread infectious diseases; Question of why a potential influenza pandemic merits unique and urgent attention when HIV/AIDS affects millions worldwide; Review of what the industrialized world should be doing to prepare for the next influenza pandemic.