November 7, 2005

Experts and officials gather at global bird flu meeting
 

Four hundred animal and human health experts, senior policymakers, economists and industry representatives have recently gathered at a global meeting in Geneva to address the threat of bird flu. The World Bank, World Health Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Organisation for Animal Health would also be present at the talks.

The three-day meeting would examine latest data about bird flu outbreaks, measures to improve animal surveillance and preparations for dealing with a human pandemic. Global and national action plans against bird flu would also be discussed, along with calls to strengthen international coordination against the disease.

The meeting was prompted in light of growing global concern that the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu has spread to Europe, and Africa might be at risk of exposure when migratory birds flew from northern hemisphere countries during winter.

FAO has stressed the need to control the virus at its source, which was poultry.

Some needs to be addressed included better monitoring and reporting systems regarding infections; more veterinarians to diagnose outbreaks; prompt culling efforts; H5N1 vaccination for flocks; transparency in reporting among countries and farmer compensation during culling.

OIE also called on wealthy countries to help developing nations, especially Asian countries hit by H5N1.