Harry Reid: “Earlier today, Senator Frist spoke about the importance of preparing our Nation for the serious and growing threat of an…”

“Earlier today, Senator Frist spoke about the importance of preparing our Nation for the serious and growing threat of an influenza pandemic. Members of this body made pandemic flu a priority when it unanimously adopted an $8 billion amendment to combat avian flu offered by Senate Democrats. I hope that Senator Frist will join me in standing by this commitment and will work to ensure that Congress provides for the full $8 billion America needs to begin addressing this critical issue before we adjourn. The avian flu has spread to 15 countries and killed 70 of the 137 individuals it has infected. Scientists are warning that it is only a matter of time before this virus mutates to a new strain that will allow for sustained human-to-human transmission and cause the next pandemic. The human and economic impact of an influenza pandemic on our Nation would be devastating. According to a recent report by the Congressional Budget Office, a severe flu pandemic could infect 90 million U.S. residents and 2 million would die. Thirty percent of the workforce would become ill and those who survived would miss 3 weeks of work. This lost productivity and decrease in consumer spending could cause a $675 billion reduction in U.S. gross domestic product and move the Nation into a recession. Perhaps the only thing more troubling than the human and economic consequences of an avian flu pandemic is the fact that our Nation is dangerously unprepared to deal with it.…”