Report Says U.S. Not Ready for Pandemic Flu

Today, Committee on Homeland Security chairman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) and former Subcommittee Chairman for Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology, James R. Langevin (D-RI), released a Majority staff report, "Getting Beyond Getting Ready for Pandemic Influenza."

The report examines the nation's state of preparedness and response capabilities in the event of a pandemic influenza outbreak. It identifies 16 weaknesses in the outgoing Bush Administration's approach to get prepared for pandemic influenza. In addition, the report provides 15 critical recommendations for what Congress, the incoming Administration, and the public and private sectors can do to achieve national readiness to combat this threat.

Thompson released the following statement along with the report: "It is possible that the next influenza pandemic will result in hundreds of thousands to millions of deaths -- even here in the U.S. Further, pandemic influenza could destroy the security of our nation and homeland. Yet despite the horrific consequences, we still are not prepared as a nation to fully withstand the impact of such a devastating widespread biological event. The change in presidential leadership presents a new opportunity to ensure that the nation is ready to address pandemic influenza from a position of strength. The House Committee on Homeland Security looks forward to working with the Obama Administration to address this threat and achieve national readiness. The will to meet and overcome pandemic influenza is as great a mission as any on the global battlefield. Our success depends on keeping up the fight until pandemic influenza is overcome."

To read the report, CLICK HERE.

Source: Committee on Homeland Security