October 14, 2005
                        

Vietnam joins UN in US$6.8 million anti-bird flu programme 

Vietnam has joined the UN in launching a US$6.8 million anti-bird flu programme during the winter season, believed to be when the virus most easily spread.

Most of Vietnam's 43 human deaths from bird flu in past years have occurred over the winter months.

The partnership marked the first of its kind and included donors from the US, Europe and the World Bank.

Jordan Ryan, head of the UN Development Programme in Vietnam, said about US$2.1 million had been secured so far, for the programme that would last the next six months.

The plan sought to beef up surveillance and rapid response systems, vaccinate poultry, and complete Vietnam's national emergency preparedness plan to deal with another potential bird flu epidemic.                          

Ryan said Vietnam was a potential country in the world where a bird flu pandemic could start unless control measures were taken.

The programme would also include mock exercises to test national preparedness against the disease if it started spreading rapidly. 

Vietnam would also receive help from the World Health Organization and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization in the programme's planning.