In response to the ongoing outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza in birds, or bird flu, the US has started to take the preventive measures in order to keep this disease from becoming a human influenza pandemic.

Most health experts are of opinion that a pandemic of something, possibly influenza, is foreseeable and the U.S. government has been propelling the states to be completely prepared for such happening.

For a pandemic to occur, virus should spread fast from person to person. Although at present the H5N1 virus does not spread easily from human to human, but its high mortality rate in humans(60%) is a major cause of concern which also makes this disease the prime suspect in case of the expected pandemic.

"The pandemic threat is real and continuing, irrespective of how much the perception of the threat may wax or wane over time. Therefore, if we are to counter the next pandemic effectively, we must prepare now," said Raub who has been helping organize pandemic preparedness for HHS.