Annan Names U.N. "Flu Czar"

doi:10.1126/science.310.5745.33d

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British public health expert David Nabarro has been picked to become the United Nations' point man for influenza. The 28 September appointment by U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan gives Nabarro, who has held various positions within the World Health Organization (WHO), a coordinating role in efforts against avian and human influenza across U.N. branches. WHO will remain the lead agency on flu.

Nabarro immediately made world headlines when he told reporters that a flu pandemic might claim as many as 150 million lives. The next day, a WHO spokesperson said that a more reasonable projection would range from 2 million to 7.1 million deaths.