U.S. Unprepared for Deadly Avian Flu

"Do we wish we had ordered it sooner and more of it? I suspect one could say yes," said Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt. "Are we moving rapidly to assure that we have it? The answer is also yes."

However, when asked why the United States did not order Tamiflu earlier, Leavitt said, "I can't answer that. I don't know the answer."

World Health Organization Expert to Lead World Response to Avian Flu

The concerns about avian flu come as U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan today appointed one of the World Health Organization's most senior experts to lead a coordinated global response to a possible pandemic. Dr. David Nabarro -- WHO's top health crisis official -- has led the response within the agency to several potential crisis situations, including malaria, environmental health and food safety.

"The appointment is critical as the world is fast recognizing the risk of an imminent human influenza pandemic and is taking steps to reduce the risk and to get prepared," WHO said in a statement.

WHO said several countries have already joined forces to coordinate preparation. Agriculture ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations began meeting in the Philippines today to discuss measures to curb the avian flu virus in birds. One such measure is the creation of a regional animal health trust fund.

In addition, the United States announced a new International Partnership on Avian and Pandemic Influenza at last month's World Summit in New York. Several countries are joining the effort, with a planning meeting slated Oct. 7-8 in Washington. WHO is also hosting a meeting of all partners on Nov. 7-8 to coordinate the funding needed.