July 12, 2004

WHO Urges For Prompt Action On Avian Influenza Outbreaks

The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged the authorities in Asian countries newly affected by outbreaks of avian influenza to make viral isolates available so that they can be analyzed by international reference laboratories.     

"We need to take a close look at the viruses to see if we are dealing with a continuation of the major outbreaks earlier this year or whether this is a new Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A (H5N1) virus," Shigeru Omi, Regional Director of WHO's Western Pacific Regional Office said Friday in a statement. "The answer to that question will help guide our response."

"If we can compare the viruses with each other and with those from the earlier outbreaks, we will have a much better picture of what is going on," said Omi.

In the past two weeks, outbreaks of avian influenza have been confirmed in poultry in China, Thailand and Vietnam. So far, tens of thousands of chickens and ducks have been slaughtered to halt the spread of the infection. There are no confirmed human infections so far in these countries.

Omi said the affected countries had responded quickly to the threat, but he warned that there was still a significant risk to public health. "Human contact with infected poultry could result in the virus jumping to humans," he said. "This could produce a new influenza virus against which there is no immunity. Obviously, the potential for a flu pandemic is still there."

WHO is urging affected countries and those with previous outbreaks to carry out urgent risk-assessment activities, including enhanced surveillance in animals and humans, and strain analysis.

Recent reports that the virus may be more entrenched across the region than previously thought and also more pathogenic have heightened concern about the risk to human health.

"There is no need for public anxiety, but it is vital that the countries affected share what they know with the international community," said Omi.

WHO is working closely on this with agriculture authorities and other international organizations such as FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) and OIE (World Organization for Animal Health). It is also liaising with national health authorities to strengthen human surveillance.