India Joins U.S.-Led Initiative To Boost Health Security

The H5N1 Avian Influenza that broke out in 2003 still circulates in some countries. Last year, China reported a new type of bird flu and a deadly new respiratory virus. emerged in the Middle East. And scientists detected the spread of some older diseases to new locales, including the first appearance of chikungunya in the Caribbean.

India and the U.S., as part of their strategic partnership, have been discU.S.sing and collaborating on public health issues. Under the India-U.S. Health Initiative, an inter-agency mechanism, the two countries have formed a working group on infectious. diseases. Sources said India could be announcing projects related to the GHSA.

The GHSA is the latest in a string of Obama administration initiatives to tackle bigger global challenges and aims to build a structure for bio-surveillance.

"Biological threats can emerge anywhere, travel quickly, and take lives," said Lisa Monaco, assistant to President Barack Obama for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, at the GHSA launch.

The U.S. looks to partner with at least 30 countries over the next five years to protect 4 billion people. The defense department will partner with countries to implement efforts in the field of epidemiology, diagnostic tests and other capabilities.

Later this year, the White House will host an event to review progress and chart the way forward.

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