Senators push bill to spur vaccination development

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http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/local/13816741.htm

Officials simulate bird flu outbreak Senators push bill to spur vaccination

development By MATT STEARNS The Star’s Washington correspondent “It doesn’t

have to happen. But you look at the (flu) cycles we’ve been through, what could

happen, this is not shouting ‘Fire!’ in a crowded theater.”

Sen. Pat

WASHINGTON — An avian flu crisis hits U.S. shores, making 90 million people

ill, half needing medical treatment and 10 million requiring hospitalization.

Two million are dead.

Such was the scenario considered by top government officials Tuesday in

Washington at a three-hour war game sponsored by the National Defense

University.

“Other than that, not a severe problem,” joked Sen. Pat , a Kansas

Republican, who participated in the event.

The game, called “Global Tempest,” required members of Congress and executive

branch leaders to react to a flu pandemic that mirrored the 1918 one that killed

millions worldwide.

“It doesn’t have to happen,” said. “But you look at the (flu) cycles

we’ve been through, what could happen, this is not shouting ‘Fire!’ in a crowded

theater.”

The university periodically brings together officials to consider how the

government could respond in the event of a national security crisis, including

how different levels of government and different government agencies would

interact.

“There’s no single solution,” said Dave , a National Defense University

spokesman. “It’s getting people to understand the implications of decisions.”

For , the message was clear: The U.S. needs to get serious about avian

flu. So far, there have been 165 reported cases worldwide, with 88 deaths. A

pandemic could destroy international economies in addition to taking millions of

lives.

The limited number of vaccines available further indicates the world’s

vulnerability.

Also, intelligence reports indicate that al-Qaida “has knowledge of the

companies that are making the vaccine, and they could be a target,” said

, who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee.

said he hopes increased awareness of the potentially devastating

effects of the flu will help increase funding for preparations for a pandemic

and help move a bill he has sponsored with Sen. Hillary Clinton, a New York

Democrat.

The bill would provide grants to speed vaccine development, provide liability

protection for vaccine manufacturers and require the federal government to

stockpile antiviral medications that could help fight a pandemic.

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To reach Matt Stearns, call 1-(202) 383-6009 , or send e-mail to

mstearns@....

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