While U.S. leaders recently bounced from one hurricane disaster to another, representatives from the European Union and the World Health Organization issued warnings about an impending outbreak of avian flu that threatens the lives of millions worldwide.

Avian flu, commonly called bird flu, is an exceptionally lethal strain of flu virus that occurs naturally among birds but may be spread to humans. Researchers believe that most cases of bird flu in humans arise from contact with infected poultry, but the virus has rarely threatened mass populations. However, bird flu has the potential to spread rapidly like other influenza viruses, and international health professionals are now worried that an outbreak could cause a pandemic similar to the Spanish Flu of 1918 that killed millions worldwide.

Fortunately for the world's over six billion people, enterprising healthcare businesses and government agencies are working diligently to create a defense in case bird flu strikes. While EU Health Commissioner Markos Kyprianou stated in October that European governments lack stocks of anti-viral drugs that could boost resistance in the event of a pandemic, health experts say that a vaccine will eventually be mass produced and administered to at-risk populations. And with flu season approaching, time is of the essence; rapid response and close cooperation between business and government leaders will be key to preventing a worldwide health crisis.