Research leads to both basic understanding of diseases and practical solutions for their control. In the case of the current swine flu problem, we need to understand the virus itself: who is at risk, how we can accurately and quickly diagnose it, and why cases in Mexico appear to be more virulent - causing dozens of deaths - compared to cases reported from other countries. We need to develop a preventive vaccine that can be produced rapidly to limit the impact of the new swine flu virus, which has now been reported officially from at least 10 U.S. states and three continents worldwide. We also need to study the effectiveness of our medical treatments and public health interventions to limit further transmission of the disease.
Health scientists and national security professionals are getting used to seeing each other in disaster preparedness planning meetings and press conferences.
This is the world we live in today. Let's marshal the best brains and institutional strengths across these diverse disciplines and around the world to prevent, detect and respond effectively to this latest infectious disease and others that will follow in coming years.
