February 20, 2004

UN FAO Head Urges Cooperation In Fighting Bird Flu

The head of the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization Friday urged international cooperation in fighting the spread of bird flu, saying the disease could spread to more animals.

The H5N1 bird flu virus has killed at least 22 people and has prompted the slaughter of tens of millions of poultry in 10 Asian countries and territories.

FAO Director General Jacques Diouf said his agency has committed US$5.5 million to help coordinate the fight against bird flu and support individual countries. He said he has also written to leaders of developed countries for assistance.

"It's quite a serious problem," he said. "Unless we deal with it very seriously, there is the risk not only of other birds contracting it but also other animals, and naturally we have also seen the effect on humans. That's why it is necessary that we cooperate together in the region."

He said FAO will hold a regional meeting in Thailand Feb. 27-28 that will "look at best strategies" for fighting bird flu, aside from culling and vaccinations.

Diouf was in Manila to confer the FAO's Ceres Medal on Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in recognition of her "long-standing commitments to agricultural and social development" and contribution to the fight against hunger and poverty in the world.