October 7, 2005

UN appoints official for global fight against bird flu

The UN has appointed David Nabarro, representative of the director general for health action in crises at the World Health Organization, in charge of coordinating the global fight against bird flu.

Dr Nabarro warned that in a pandemic, human deaths could reach between five million and 150 million, and referred to the 1918 flu pandemic that killed more than 40 million people.

WHO director general Lee Jong-wook said global coordination against the disease was critical, although worldwide preparations have been progressing.

WHO has already provided all its member countries detailed guidance on actions they needed to take against bird flu.

Meanwhile, US president George Bush recently met with American and international vaccine manufacturers, in a bid to involve the private sector in helping reduce the possibility of a bird flu pandemic.

President Bush also met with senior advisers to discuss bird flu preparations taken so far, as well as future action plans.