US optimistic a deal to lessen threats of future pandemics is in sight 

Delegates attend the opening day of the 77th World Health Organization (WHO) World Health Assembly in Geneva on May 27, 2024. FILE - Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra speaks at a news conference, Oct. 18, 2022, in Washington.

Despite the failure of negotiators to reach a pandemic accord ahead of this week’s World Health Assembly, a senior U.S. official remains optimistic that an agreement to lessen the threats of global killer disease outbreaks is in sight.