September 21, 2005

Poor farmers a weak link in bird flu fight

Reluctance by poor Asian poultry farmers to report bird flu outbreaks is a weak link in the fight against the disease from spreading and causing a human pandemic, the WHO said at the organisation's western Pacific conference in Noumea on Sep 19.

Dr Shigeru Omi, WHO's regional director for the Western Pacific pointed out that there is very little incentive for farmers to report suspected outbreaks.

He cited the farmers' fears of flocks being culled without compensation as a pretty strong disincentive to report an outbreak.

Though Asian governments were trying their best to combat the disease, there was no proper surveillance in rural villages, while a lack of education made farmers and market operators easy targets for bird flu.

The conference of health ministers and officials from 37 nations hopes to adopt an Asia-Pacific strategy for emerging diseases, to fight not only bird flu but also other existing and yet-to-emerge diseases.

The plan aims to strengthen reporting of outbreaks, ensure rapid responses and increase international cooperation.

As Omi pointed out, there are likely to be new emerging diseases in the coming years.