April 10, 2006

UN coordinator praises Vietnam's efforts against bird flu

A senior UN official praised Vietnam on Saturday (Apr 8) for its success in controlling the disease, but challenged international donors to help strengthen Vietnam's network for detection and health care.

Vietnam's success is "not just good for Vietnam, it's good for the world," Dr David Nabarro, the UN's chief coordinator for bird flu, told reporters.

He urged donor nations not to forget about Vietnam just because it has had no poultry outbreaks since December. Animal health experts largely credit a mass poultry vaccination campaign for that success.

Before arriving in Vietnam, Nabarro stopped in China and Laos. He said Saturday he has been in close contact with Cambodian officials. He will also visit Thailand and Indonesia--all countries where the H5N1 virus is considered endemic in poultry stocks.

Meanwhile, the Asian Development Bank will provide a US$15-million grant to help Vietnam battle bird flu and other diseases. Both parties' officials signed the agreement on Friday.