Bird Flu Spreading Rapidly

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   Bird flu now spreading rapidly, warns UN expert 

By Tracy Quek

The Straits Times

 Publication Date: 06-04-2006  

There has been an "enormously rapid spread" of bird flu in the last three months, the United Nations avian influenza chief has said, describing it as a "serious global situation".

Some 30 countries in Africa, the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East and Europe have reported birds infected with the H5N1 virus over the past three months, David Nabarro said at a news conference in Beijing on Tuesday (April 4).

He noted that in the previous 2 1/2 years, only 15 countries, mainly in Asia, had reported the presence of the virus among birds.

In late July last year, the virus had spread geographically beyond Asia to Russia.

More outbreaks are possible despite the onset of warmer weather, he said, pointing to the virus' spread in Nigeria.

However, Nabarro and other experts at the news conference stressed that avian influenza remained a "bird disease".

They downplayed the growing edginess about human-to-human transmissions and the occurrence of human infections in areas where the virus went undetected in birds.

Nabarro was in Beijing for a day to take stock of China's fight against the disease.

He also hopes to persuade Beijing to contribute its expertise and information to the campaign against the spread of bird flu.

China has reported 11 human deaths from bird flu and 34 outbreaks among poultry since the beginning of last year.

Nabarro, who met top officials including Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu, said he was "pretty satisfied" with the government's efforts and its sharing of information and material.

He warned that China faces a 'long haul' in its fight against the virus and urged officials at all levels to remain "eternally vigilant".

However, World Health Organisation (WHO) officials, present at the briefing, said they would like to see China share its information more consistently.

Dr Henk Bekedam, the WHO representative in China, said: "We need to share information and samples in a timely manner, in a regular manner and also globally."

On a separate note, Nabarro said that some of the US$1.9 billion (S$3 billion) pledged by the international community in January towards the campaign against bird flu was starting to reach affected countries.

After China, he will visit Laos, Viet Nam, Thailand and Indonesia as part of a tour to flu-struck countries.

The WHO said Wednesday (April 5) that bird flu has killed a 12-year-old boy in Cambodia, the nation's sixth victim.

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Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest Group	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Bird Flu Spreading Rapidly Posted: April 05 2006 at 7:12pm
	Bird flu now spreading rapidly, warns UN expert By Tracy Quek The Straits Times Publication Date: 06-04-2006 There has been an "enormously rapid spread" of bird flu in the last three months, the United Nations avian influenza chief has said, describing it as a "serious global situation". Some 30 countries in Africa, the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East and Europe have reported birds infected with the H5N1 virus over the past three months, David Nabarro said at a news conference in Beijing on Tuesday (April 4). He noted that in the previous 2 1/2 years, only 15 countries, mainly in Asia, had reported the presence of the virus among birds. In late July last year, the virus had spread geographically beyond Asia to Russia. More outbreaks are possible despite the onset of warmer weather, he said, pointing to the virus' spread in Nigeria. However, Nabarro and other experts at the news conference stressed that avian influenza remained a "bird disease". They downplayed the growing edginess about human-to-human transmissions and the occurrence of human infections in areas where the virus went undetected in birds. Nabarro was in Beijing for a day to take stock of China's fight against the disease. He also hopes to persuade Beijing to contribute its expertise and information to the campaign against the spread of bird flu. China has reported 11 human deaths from bird flu and 34 outbreaks among poultry since the beginning of last year. Nabarro, who met top officials including Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu, said he was "pretty satisfied" with the government's efforts and its sharing of information and material. He warned that China faces a 'long haul' in its fight against the virus and urged officials at all levels to remain "eternally vigilant". However, World Health Organisation (WHO) officials, present at the briefing, said they would like to see China share its information more consistently. Dr Henk Bekedam, the WHO representative in China, said: "We need to share information and samples in a timely manner, in a regular manner and also globally." On a separate note, Nabarro said that some of the US$1.9 billion (S$3 billion) pledged by the international community in January towards the campaign against bird flu was starting to reach affected countries. After China, he will visit Laos, Viet Nam, Thailand and Indonesia as part of a tour to flu-struck countries. The WHO said Wednesday (April 5) that bird flu has killed a 12-year-old boy in Cambodia, the nation's sixth victim.