July 22, 2004

WHO Issues Fresh Alert Against Avian Flu To Southeast Asia
 

The Southeast Asia regional office of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in India Wednesday issued a fresh alert to countries in the region to enhance vigilance against a new outbreak of avian influenza among poultry.

After a gap of nearly three months, fresh cases of avian flu have been reported among poultry in Thailand, China and Vietnam.

During the last outbreak early this year, around two-dozen deaths had been reported in Vietnam and Thailand.

Due to constant surveillance and precautionary steps, India did not have any avian flu case earlier this year, though the fear of a possible outbreak had severely affected the thriving poultry industry.

"Laboratory tests confirm that these outbreaks in poultry (in Thailand) are caused by the H5N1 sub-type of influenza virus, which was the cause of the outbreak earlier this year," WHO said in a statement.

So far no confirmed human cases have been reported though the avian flu has been reported among poultry in increasing numbers of provinces in Thailand.

"Our main concern is the increased risk to humans, and WHO is advising countries to strengthen disease surveillance in both poultry and human populations," said Samlee Plianbangchang, WHO's Southeast Asia regional director.