Bird flu alarm a 'post-Katrina' effect

WASHINGTON, Oct. 5 (UPI) -- U.S. Senate Democrats want to create a White House flu pandemic coordinator, saying the nation is "dangerously unprepared" for an outbreak of bird flu.

Thirty-two Senate Democrats expressed that concern Tuesday in a letter to President Bush. Democrats planned to introduce legislation to create the White House post and require federal buy-back of unused flu vaccine, The New York Times reported.

Health officials warn that a virulent form of avian flu could kill millions. But hearing that bird flu could kill 100,000 to 2 million U.S. residents in a closed-door meeting last week added fresh urgency, senators told the newspaper.

Irwin Redlener, director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University, said bird flu alarm is the latest "post-Katrina effect."

On Tuesday, President Bush said the government is doing "everything we can" about bird flu.

"'Trust us' is not something the administration can say after Katrina," said Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa. "We want plans. We want specific goals and procedures we're going to take to prepare for this."