White House conducts drill to test bird flu preparedness

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White House conducts drill to test bird flu preparedness

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The White House on Saturday sought to "push resources to the breaking point" as officials tested the government's readiness for a flu pandemic in the United States.

The four-hour drill at the White House complex involved Cabinet secretaries and top federal officials. President Bush, though remaining at the White House for the weekend, did not participate. He went for a bike ride in suburban Maryland on a cold winter morning. Vice President Dick Cheney also stayed away.

White House deputy press secretary Trent Duffy would not discuss the scenario being used to test the government's response plans, such as whether a bioterrorism component was being considered beyond a natural spread of disease.

"It is part of the administration's effort to be ready and have the entire federal government ready to respond in the event of a pandemic," Duffy said. "It's a drill."