World health experts plan for a pandemic

WASHINGTON, Oct. 6 (UPI) -- The world's top health experts met in Washington Thursday and said the world is "woefully unprepared" to respond to a pandemic.

U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Mike Leavitt told CNN the problem is made even more urgent by concerns the current avian flu virus could produce a global health crisis.

"You'd think that it would be a matter of constant concern to us," Leavitt said. "It has not been, anywhere in the world and consequently, the world is unprepared."

Leavitt made his comments as the health experts gathered for a two-day meeting to discuss the possibility of a flu pandemic.

The conference -- hosted by Leavitt and U.S. Global Affairs Undersecretary Paula Dobriansky -- involved representatives of more than 80 nations and various international organizations.

Leavitt said the world's health officials were trying to devise a comprehensive surveillance plan that would allow a quick response if the virus was seen to be spreading.

"That way," he told CNN, "if it happens in Thailand or Laos or Cambodia, the rest of the world can go there and help them contain it. Containment is our first strategy."