Global Health Security Initiative strengthens preparedness and response to smallpox and other bioterrorist threats

Preparedness and response to the threats of smallpox, chemical release and pandemic influenza were discussed at the third meeting of the Global Health Security Initiative on 6 December 2002 in Mexico City. The meeting was attended by health ministers and secretaries from the G7+ countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States (US), plus Mexico), and the European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection (1). The first meeting, which saw the launch of the initiative, was held in Ottawa in November 2001, and a second meeting was held in London, in March 2002 (2).