What is CDC doing to prepare for a possible H5N1 flu pandemic?
CDC is taking part in a number of pandemic prevention and preparedness activities, including: • Working with the Association of Public Health Laboratories on training workshops for state laboratories on the use of special laboratory (molecular) techniques to identify H5 viruses. • Working with the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists and others to help states with their pandemic planning efforts. • Working with other agencies such as the Department of Defense and the Veterans Administration on antiviral stockpile issues. • Working with the World Health Organization (WHO) and Vietnamese Ministry of Health to investigate influenza H5N1 in Vietnam and to provide help in laboratory diagnostics and training to local authorities. • Performing laboratory testing of H5N1 viruses. • Starting a $5.5 million initiative to improve influenza surveillance in Asia. • Holding or taking part in training sessions to improve local capacities to conduct surveillance for possible human cases of
