We need double the cash to fight bird flu, says UN

THE United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said yesterday it needed £163 million over the next three years to fund its fight against bird flu, twice the amount it estimated was needed a few months ago.

The Rome-based body said it had only received £38 million and complained that public attention was focused too much on the risk to humans, rather than on tackling the disease in birds where it can devastate livelihoods."

The international fight against avian flu must start with increased surveillance and monitoring of poultry and other animals," it said in a statement.

Reporting outbreaks and taking measures such as culling were the next steps - work the FAO is involved in.

At least 123 people have died from bird flu since 2003, according to the World Health Organisation.

The World Bank said in January that it would cost 1.2 billion globally to counter the disease, of which 75 million was for animal health measures.

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Annans Swiss Bank account must need a top-up.