Pandemic Influenza and Other Emerging Threats   [open pdf - 642KB]

"Nearly 75 percent of new emerging or re-emerging diseases that affect humans are zoonotic (originated in animals). The persistence of H5N1 avian influenza and emergence of H1N1pandemic influenza exemplify the potential for a new zoonotic pathogen to emerge and spread across the globe. USAID [United States Agency for International Development] is addressing these threats through its pandemic preparedness, H5N1, and Emerging Pandemic Threats (EPT) programs. To strengthen national-level pandemic preparedness capacity throughout Africa and Asia, USAID has convened planning exercises, including national-level table-top simulations involving civilian and military leaders. The result has enhanced national pandemic preparedness plans for more than 28 countries. H5N1 avian influenza remains a pandemic threat with a high mortality rate in humans. USAID's sup¬port contributed to a decrease in the number of countries with H5N1--from 53 in 2006 to 6 endemic countries in 2010. The key to this success has been a drop from 14 to 3 days in the median time from the start of a poultry outbreak to its lab confirmation."