Pandemic Influenza

The purpose of this section is to ensure that foreign missions, international organizations and their members have a source dedicated to providing current information on issues related to the U.S. Government's response to threat of pandemic influenza. 

In the event the Director General of the World Health Organization announces that the world has entered "Phase 4" of the Global Influenza Preparedness Plan (Small cluster(s) with limited human-to-human transmission but spread is highly localized, suggesting that the virus is not well adapted to humans),  information will be posted on this site specifically addressing the measures the United States is taking to address pandemic influenza.  This information will describe issues that may arise regarding such measures and the privileges and immunities enjoyed by some members of the foreign mission community. 

In accordance with the Implementation Plan for the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza, the Department of State hopes to ensure that the foreign missions, international organizations and their members are aware of the U.S. Government's efforts and resources that will be brought to bear in a coordinated manner against the threat of pandemic influenza.  Such efforts require (or will require) the participation of, and coordination by, all levels of government and segments of society.  State and local governments will be prepared, with information and guidance from the federal government, to take actions to best protect individuals residing in the United States. 

The Federal Government has already taken a historic series of actions, domestically and internationally to address the pandemic threat.  The actions include the development of a promising human vaccine against H5N1 avian influenza virus, the submission of a $7.1 billion budget request over several years to support pandemic preparedness, the establishment of the International Partnership on Avian and Pandemic Influenza, and the first Cabinet-level exercise to assess the Federal Government response to a naturally occurring threat.