November 10, 2005

Global action plan at Geneva bird flu meeting
 

A global action plan has been prepared at the close of the recent international meeting on bird flu in Geneva.

World Health Organization Director-General Lee Jong-wook said the international response against bird flu has been one of solidarity. He added that specific recommendations for action were presented, and both developing and industrialised countries have offered support as well.

He said that while plans have been drawn up, "we must now test them."

The global plan sought to control the virus in animals while limiting the threat of a human pandemic at the same time. Participants also stressed that financial and other resources for bird flu-hit and high-risk countries were urgently needed.

Major components of the plan were:

• Controlling the virus in birds, which were the source of transmission, and improving veterinary services, emergency preparedness and control. Culling, vaccination and compensation, and helping countries curb the virus in animals were also included.
   
• Improving surveillance for early detection and rapid response for animal and human flu, while enhancing laboratory capacity.
   
• Quick response training for investigating animal and human cases, and planning and testing of such activities.
   
• Preparing for a pandemic and testing national plans on pandemic preparedness, conducting a global pandemic response exercise, and improving health systems and personnel.
   
• Developing national plans across all sectors to allow coordinated technical and financial support.
   
• Transparent communications including risk reporting.

Chief UN coordinator for avian and human influenza David Nabarro said countries needed to maximise their assets and skills while learning from experiences. He also stressed focus on supporting existing country mechanisms against the disease and integrated global plans and surveillance.

Short-, medium- and long-term financing needs for countries were also discussed. The World Bank has estimated that the needs of affected countries could reach US$1 billion over the next three years. However, the overall figure was expected to be much higher once financing for human or animal vaccine development, antiviral drugs and culling compensation for farmers were included.

The meeting also urgently called for US$35 million to fund high-priority measures by WHO, FAO, and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) over the next six months.

Meanwhile, the World Bank has warned that funding needs would rise sharply once bird flu hit more countries.