WHO Praises UK for Flu Pandemic Preparedness

The World Health Organization has praised the UK for being one of the best prepared countries for future flu pandemics.

The World Health Organization has praised the UK for being one of the best prepared countries for future flu pandemics.

The comments were made as the UK Department of Health launched its Pandemic Preparedness Strategy 2011, which aims to create more flexibility and clearer communication between all parties involved in the government response to a pandemic.

Dr Keiji Fukuda, WHO assistant director-general for health security and environment, said, "The UK remains amongst the leaders worldwide in preparing for a pandemic. The new UK Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Strategy builds positively on the lessons learned from the H1N1 pandemic in setting the UK's strategic approach to pandemic preparedness and response".