Preparing for Pandemics RICHMOND (WEKU) -

The former European Union Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection says the world community is better prepared to deal with the H1N1 pandemic than for past diseases like mad cow disease and bird flu.

During a visit to Eastern Kentucky University, David Byrne told reporters complacency these days is not a problem.

"Certainly we've had advice from the World Health Organization, we've had advice from the CDC in Atlanta, we've had advice from the European center for Disease Control in Stockholm, so they're on the case and they're analyzing it to the extent that it's possible to do and they know what the issues are," Byrne said.

Most important to building public confidence says Byrne is showing people that someone is in charge, there is a plan to deal with the problem, and the plan is working.

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