The United States Centre for Disease Control, the CDC, has begun preparing its isolated territories, including in the Pacific, for a possible bird flu pandemic.
The CDC says it does not have the capacity to immediately assist the islands in a breakout.
Dr. Mark Keim, a CDC medical officer, said they do not have the capacity to rescue the islands nor do they have the responsibility to do so in case of a pandemic.
He says this means local personnel need to be trained to deal with the situation.
Dr Keim said the real issue is preventing a pandemic from happening.