(session podcasted with authorization from the speakers and the WEF media team)

This session was extremely informative on most questions that we all have about bird flu and pandemic viruses. It is really worth listening to if you are interested in these topics. The room was packed, it has been one of the most popular sessions in Davos this year.

With confirmed cases in Turkey, the menace of a potential bird flu pandemic has raised questions about the ability of the international community and national governments to respond to a severe global health crisis.

1) Can the global community adequately prepare for a global pandemic, and how ?

2) Who should take the lead and where can collaboration bear most fruit ?

3) What steps can companies take to protect their employees and activities when it comes to a health crisis ?

Speakers:

Ira Flatow, executive Producer and Host, Science Friday, National public radio, USA

Anthony S. Fauci, Director, National Institue of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, USA

David Nabarro, UN System Senior Coordinator for Avian and Human Influenza, United Nations, New York

Elena Salgado, Minister of Health of Spain

David Stout, President, Pharmaceuticals, GlaxoSmithKline

-Loic Le Meur