NOUMEA (AFP) - The World Health Organisation has urged nations to prepare for a bird flu pandemic, saying they should not be caught unawares by an obvious threat.
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"No government, no head of state can be taken unawares," said WHO director general Lee Jong-Wook on Monday. "It is very important for all of us to be prepared."
Lee was addressing the WHO's Regional Committee for the Western Pacific. More than 100 representatives, including several health ministers, are meeting here until Friday.
"It's obvious that a pandemic will occur, all the conditions are in place. The problem now is time," Lee said.
Shigeru Omi, WHO regional director for the Western Pacific, told delegates: "While we still have a window of opportunity, we must do everything we can to avert an influenza pandemic as we simultaneously prepare for a worst-case scenario."
Omi also warned that bird flu and severe acute respiratory syndrome ( SARS) "are not the only emerging diseases we can expect to confront in this new century."
Bird flu, first detected in South Korea in December 2003, has now hit 11 countries and some lack resources to deal with it, Omi said.
A total of 63 people have died in Southeast Asia.
Omi urged affected countries to improve their capacity to detect the virus in animals and humans; take rapid action to prevent the spread of the disease, such as slaughtering infected birds and immunising others; and improve animal husbandry practices.
He said countries should prepare for a pandemic by stockpiling antiviral drugs and positioning them in high-risk areas; intensifying efforts in vaccine development; and preparing for massive social and economic disruptions.
The WHO has developed an Asian Pacific Avian Influenza Action Plan that will need about 160 million dollars to implement. A donors' meeting will be held later this year to seek funds. |
