U.S. Health Agency Stages Bird Flu War Game

April 28, 2007

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A leading U.S. health agency staged a war game this week to test its response to one of the worst health emergencies it could imagine an outbreak of avian flu on American soil.

The exercise, which ended on Friday, was designed to simulate how the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would marshal its resources, coordinate with other branches of government and, crucially, reassure the public while preparing it for a possible pandemic.

“If we were at the beginning of a pandemic this is exactly what it would look like,” said CDC Director Julie Gerberding at a news conference early in the 48-hour drill, which involved hundreds of officials.

If things turn out wrong it could lead to a “catastrophe beyond our planning,” she said.

In the script, a student infected with a new strain of H5N1 virus returns from Indonesia where a bird flu outbreak is under way. He dies but not before infecting others including members of a swimming team.

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