CDC releases $225 million for bird flu

The U.S. Health and Human Services Department released another $225 million to states and cities on Tuesday to use in preparing for a pandemic of bird flu or other disease.
The allotment is the largest share of $350 million designated to help state and local governments buy supplies and fix up medical and emergency services. The first $100 million was distributed in February to identify gaps.

The money goes to help states pay for activities above and beyond what they normally provide, said Joe Posid of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which distributes the money.

"They'll use the CDC funds for more macro or public health purposes such as surveillance, epidemiology and mass communications," Posid said in a telephone interview.

"We are asking that all states go through a number of exercises or drills or simulations that we believe will be necessary if and when a pandemic comes our way."

For instance, states need to have plans in place to close schools and set up mass vaccination clinics, he said.

HHS has stressed that state and local governments, businesses and individuals must bear most of the burden of preparing for a pandemic or biological attack. Leavitt says the federal government is not equipped to do all the work and does not have enough money.

Infectious disease experts agree that a pandemic of some sort of influenza is overdue. The H5N1 avian flu virus that has affected birds in about 50 countries is considered the most likely candidate.

H5N1 rarely infects humans but it has killed 131 people out of 229 who contracted the illness in nine countries.

Experts argue that even if a pandemic does not come, the money is well spent to shore up neglected public health services globally and a thin vaccine industry.

The U.S. Congress has authorized $6.1 billion of bird flu funds out of $7.1 billion requested by President George W. Bush. Most is aimed at vaccine research and development.

The United States has also pledged to help other counties but has spent only about $71 million out of the $334 million it promised, according to a United Nations report.

The money is meant to help countries watch for flu, upgrade veterinary systems, hold vaccination drives and educate people about animal and human hygiene.

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