One of the most timely, engaging and well-received panel discussions at the CEPI co-hosted Global Pandemic Preparedness Summit 2024 in Rio de Janeiro in July was one led by the international pandemic preparedness and response expert Dr Rick Bright. Dr Bright is also a former director of the U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA).

In the session, Dr Bright invited experts in vaccinology, epidemiology, surveillance and outbreak response to explore the question: Zoonotic influenza—would we be ready for an equitable 100- day response and what can we do to prepare?

Afterwards, CEPI’s Kate Kelland caught up with Dr Bright to ask for his insights on the current outbreak of H5N1 bird flu, otherwise known as H5N1 avian influenza, among cattle and poultry in the United States and on whether the global health security system is moving swiftly and effectively to counter its threat.