NEW YORK (November 2, 2005) – Missed the story again… A TV business reporter pursued the avian flu story with Virgin Atlantic Chairman Richard Branson here at the Time Global Health Summit. The resulting exchange made the headlines as Branson elaborated on his firm’s preparation for a possible flu outbreak by stockpiling vaccine for its airline staff. But the long-term news, I thought, was Branson’s ambitious call for an international “war room” to monitor, coordinate and respond to global health issues, particularly in Africa. It makes perfect sense — use the technologies of military, shipping and media logistics to manage myriad, complex responses to avian flu, pandemics, famine and drought.

photo: Evan Agostini/Time