Shigeru Omi, director of the World Health Organization's Western
Pacific Regional Office, has urged researchers in all countries in
the region to share samples of poultry and human avian influenza
viruses in order to prevent a possible global pandemic. He
emphasized the importance of timely exchange.
All member states in the region have vowed to strengthen
exchanges and cooperation, said Omi, who was in Shanghai for the
55th session of the WHO Western Pacific Regional Committee. The
region now includes 37 member states.
Avian influenza, or bird flu, has already wreaked havoc in the
region with 40 human cases confirmed as of September 9, including
29 fatalities, in Vietnam and Thailand.
Several new suspected cases were reported last week in Thailand
and Malaysia.
Bird flu reappeared in China among chickens in Anhui Province in
early July, but no human cases have been reported.
Omi said that relatively little is known about the disease,
including how it is transmitted to humans. Further research is
essential.
He warned that the possibility of the virus spreading from
region to region, country to country, chickens to humans, and from
humans to humans exists because it continues to circulate and to
adapt.
Scientists still do not know how the patients in Vietnam were
infected, as they had no contact with poultry.
Omi noted that the virus might be carried by other animals, such
as dogs and horses, which might also transmit the virus to
humans.
"We all know that the effective way to control the virus is to
slaughter sick poultry, but we cannot kill all the animals that
might carry the virus. This means we must strengthen animal
husbandry," he said.
All countries and individuals, especially those who have close
contact with poultry, must be well prepared to prevent or contain
every possible outbreak of avian influenza.
Authorities must develop prevention, surveillance and reporting,
and quick response systems. They also need to inform people of how
to protect themselves and more closely coordinate the work of
various departments, including agriculture, health and science.
(Xinhua News Agency September 20, 2004)