Threat of Pandemic Influenza: Are We Ready?

This volume, based on a workshop sponsored by the Institute of Medicine's Forum on Microbial Threats, aims to inform the Forum, the public, and policymakers of the likelihood of an influenza pandemic and explores the issues that must be resolved to prepare and protect the global community. Participants discuss the history of influenza pandemics and the potentially valuable lessons it holds; the 2003-2004 H5N1 avian influenza outbreak in Asia and its implications for human health; ongoing pandemic influenza preparedness planning at global, regional, national, state, and local levels; strategies for preventing and controlling avian influenza and its transmission within bird and animal populations; and a broad range of medical, technical, social, economic and political opportunities for pandemic preparedness, as well as the many obstacles that stand in the way of this goal.