Worldwide preparedness to prevent eruption of pandemic flu and to control pandemic spread after its emergence

Avian influenza or "bird flu" is causing increasing concern across the world as experts are preparing for the possible occurrence of the next human influenza pandemic. Countries worldwide are preparing for the arrival of the virus in wild birds and poultry within their territories. All countries need to prepare for the possible arrival of human cases of influenza imported through foreign travel. Preparedness for biological threats requires awareness, planning, organization, infrastructure and equipment stocking, education of personnel, and conducting drills as well as availability, willingness and perceived self efficacy of the staff to respond in due time. International collaboration has a key impact on successful medical preparedness. Cooperation and coordination between countries is needed in the verge of a pandemic. Most health authorities initiated disease prevention and containment policies. The World Health Organization (WHO) is the basic coordinating and supervising force behind global preparedness. The WHO has described the preparedness measures needed to be taken in the pre-pandemic stage, during primary detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and at the pandemic stages. Countries worldwide have prepared multi-factorial programs dealing with the subjects. The preparedness and contingency plans differ among different countries and regions due to different resources availability, local experience with the disease, specific local challenges and limitations. Many countries suffer from under-endorsed and untested planes. In those areas suffering from lack of effective pandemic control plans, the regional cooperation is also lacking. This article reviews status of the worldwide preparedness to prevent eruption of pandemic flu and to control pandemic spread after its emergence.