January 28, 2004

 

 

WHO Calls For Greater Cooperation Against Bird Flu

 

The World Health Organization called on countries for greater cooperation in the fight against the rapid spread of bird flu in Asia.

 

"It is clear that with the virus so widespread within poultry, it will have many opportunities to alter its form and become transmissible between humans," said WHO's Western Pacific Regional Director Shigeru Omi.

 

Health officials believe the disease is contracted through contact with sick chickens.

 

But if a mutation allowing human transmission occurs, Omi warned, "there's always potential for this kind of outbreak to result in serious global pandemic, which involves not hundreds, but could kill millions of people globally."

 

The avian influenza that has swept through Asia, infecting millions of chickens in at least 10 places, has claimed eight lives so far - six in Vietnam and two in Thailand. Governments have been scrambling to destroy the infected birds in a bid to contain the epidemic's spread.

 

Omi said the simultaneous outbreak of a deadly bird flu in so many countries is "unprecedented" and that "cooperation between nations at all levels is key to conquering this public health threat."

 

On Tuesday, Omi also said that tests showed a 4-year-old boy who has since

recovered is Vietnam's eighth confirmed bird flu case.

 

"We expect that there might be many more cases," said Omi.

 

In addition to the confirmed cases, there are nine suspected cases. Health officials are also investigating another 36 people with severe respiratory illnesses in Hanoi-area hospitals.

 

A working vaccine is at least six to seven months away from public use, Omi said. Until that time, governments must work hard to contain and control the virus within poultry.

 

With the spread of bird flu fast becoming a regional crisis, Omi stressed the importance "for all member states to share information promptly and in a transparent manner."

 

Governments in Thailand and Indonesia have been charged with covering up flu outbreaks there in order to protect powerful business interests.

 

On Tuesday, Omi praised Vietnam's efforts to contain the spread, saying Hanoi officials have taken the issue seriously, but urged them to "redouble" their efforts. Earlier in the day, Omi had met with Health Minister Tran Thi Trung Chien and Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem.

 

Bird flu has already spread to at least 25 of Vietnam's 64 provinces, killing or forcing the mass slaughter of some 5.3 million chickens and ducks, said Bui Quang Anh, director of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development's Veterinary Department.

 

Vietnam is now focusing on workers slaughtering the chickens, who are at the biggest risk for infections. The U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization has provided Vietnam with the first 150 sets of protective gear for culling the birds.

 

The WHO's Omi is on his way to an emergency regional meeting on bird flu in Bangkok Wednesday. Vietnam is sending a delegation headed by Minister of Agriculture and Rural Le Huy Ngo and other health officials.