Shigeru Omi, director of the World Health Organization's Western Pacific Regional Office, said on Sunday that he is far more concerned about the risk of an avian influenza pandemic than he is about SARS.

Speaking at a press conference preceding the 55th session of the WHO Western Pacific Regional Committee, which opens in Shanghai on Monday, Omi said that the deadly H5N1 "bird flu" virus, which has affected millions of birds, is circulating far more widely than was initially predicted.

Omi pointed out that virtually no human would have immunity to a new human influenza virus that resulted from outbreaks in poultry. He also noted that the cyclical history of influenza outbreaks indicates that another pandemic is due.

Since late 2003, avian influenza has hit nine Asian countries, including Thailand, Vietnam and China. A total of 28 people have so far died in 39 confirmed human avian influenza cases. The latest case was on September 8, when an 18-year-old man who raised fighting cocks died in eastern Thailand.

Omi stated that fortunately, as yet there have been no confirmed cases of human-to-human transmission of bird flu. However, he noted, over time the virus will gain greater potential to adapt for such transmission.

To prevent the avian virus from jumping from animal to human, Omi urged countries to improve their systems for reporting cases of the disease. He also called on member states to pay closer attention to animal health rather than just focusing on the humans.

Both SARS and bird flu originated in animals.

Omi stressed that practices employed in raising animals must be improved, as well as the processing and marketing of foods. Asia's huge demand for meats led some producers to raise animals in unhealthy environments, such as keeping chickens and ducks together.

Omi also noted that the high population density in Asia, as well as the growing mobility of its people and goods, can contribute to the fast spread of communicable diseases. He urged all countries to cooperate more closely in tackling the problem. In particular, he called on developed countries, which have fewer or no outbreaks of such infectious diseases as SARS or bird flu, to increase their support for developing nations.

Omi appeared far more optimistic about the containment of the SARS virus.

"Of course we should not relax, but based on the experience and the lessons we've learned from the outbreaks of last year, the overall judgment is that we are a lot better prepared for SARS," he said.

More than 300 policymakers and representatives from 32 members of the WHO Western Pacific Regional Committee are attending the five-day regional meeting. Many key issues, including the recurrence of SARS and new human deaths from avian influenza, are on the agenda.

(Xinhua News Agency, China.org.cn September 13, 2004)