Local politicians joined Westchester County health officials Friday to discuss plans should the deadly bird flu ever make it to the U.S.

The avian flu has already claimed 60 lives in southern Asia. Westchester County Commissioner of Health, Dr. Joshua Lipsman, says the best defense is a pre-emptive strike against the virus. Lipsman says his department has been communicating with first responders and disaster preparedness teams to deal with the global epidemic.

Meanwhile, some doctors have been stockpiling the drug Tamiflu. However, health officials say there is no guarantee the drug will prevent the illness.