The Looming Threat of an Avian Flu Pandemic

Abstract

As birds throughout Asia, Europe, and Africa have been infected with an avian influenza, public health experts everywhere are worried that if spread to humans, the world could face a pandemic with proportions similar to the 1918 Spanish influenza. In the past, the federal government has been more concerned with foreign militaries than foreign diseases. But today, the government has devoted over $7.1 billion to preventing a potential pandemic. While much of this goes to research and the production of vaccinations, money is also allocated to strengthen local infrastructures and control the disease in other countries. The fact that the federal government has put so much time and effort to prevent a disease that has affected few humans worldwide, let alone any Americans, points to a growing belief in human security rather than national security. This thesis will evaluate the concept of human security and argue that U.S. action and public opinion regarding the threat of an avian flu pandemic clearly shows decision-making based on human security.