October 25, 2005

UN warns against misconception on bird flu

The UN has warned against the misconception on bird flu that wild birds were mainly responsible for spreading the disease. It also urged governments to take immediate measures towards preventing possible transmissions among both domestic and wild bird populations.

Governments, local authorities and international agencies were also urged to step up measures towards preventing ideal conditions for the virus to spread and mutate into a more dangerous form.

Director of the field veterinary programme, Wildlife Conservation Society, William Karesh said time was wasted "pointing fingers at wild birds" when the focus should be on root causes of transmission. These included rural poultry practices, movement of domestic poultry, and farming methods that crowded many animals into small spaces.

The UN also opposed mass culling of wild birds, supported strict controls on wild and domestic bird trade, and warned against uncertified vaccine use.

Meanwhile, the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization said it would set up a task force in Indonesia to help the country in its fight against bird flu.

FAO added that the task force would involve the Indonesian government, the World Health Organization and the World Food Programme.

FAO's animal health officer Peter Roeder, who would lead the task force, said the organisation would set up local disease control centres in high-risk areas. The centres would provide updated information and train animal health technicians and veterinarians on how to conduct rapid disease detection and containment.

Animal health workers would visit individual houses in affected areas to find sick birds, and decide with authorities on specific containment actions.

In addition, FAO said it would bring in a team of experienced Thai veterinarians to share their expertise with Indonesian experts, and help train local animal health workers.