WASHINGTON (Reuters):

The United States remains unprepared for disasters ranging from biological attacks to a flu pandemic, and funding for preparedness is falling, according to a report released on Tuesday.

Many states still lack a stockpile of drugs, masks, gloves and other equipment needed to battle a pandemic of diseases, despite five years of constant and detailed warning, the Trust for America's Health said in its report.

"Overall, federal funding for state and local preparedness will have declined by 25 per cent in 3 years if the president's FY (fiscal year) 2008 request is approved," the report reads.

"Until all states measure up, the United States is not safe."

The nonprofit Trust has been issuing reports every year for five years, and said the 2001 anthrax attacks, in which five people died when anthrax spores were mailed to several offices, should have been a wake-up call.

The disasters caused by hurricanes Katrina and Rita that wrecked the U.S. Gulf Coast in 2005 should have galvanised more action and highlighted a variety of problems with U.S. disaster preparedness, the group said.

But the report released on Tuesday still finds preparedness is spotty.

"Thirteen states do not have adequate plans to distribute emergency vaccines, antidotes, and medical supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile," the report reads.

"Twenty-one states do not have statutes that allow for adequate liability protection for health care volunteers during emergencies. Twelve states do not have a disease surveillance system compatible with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Electronic Disease Surveillance System," it added.

"Seven states have not purchased any portion of their federally subsidised or unsubsidised antivirals to use during a pandemic flu. Seven states and (Washington) D.C. lack sufficient capabilities to test for biological threats."