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Apec leaders open on bird flu
19/11/2005 13:09 - (SA)
Busan - Asia-Pacific countries, including China and others hard hit by bird flu, pledged to build a regional register of experts on the virus and to hold a simulation exercise next year to test their preparedness for a human pandemic.
The leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) forum meeting in Busan, South Korea, also promised to boost surveillance and information-sharing, and be open about reporting bird flu outbreaks.
Australia said it would contribute A$100m (R497m) over four years to fund bird flu initiatives in the region. Japan is also expected to announce funding for bird flu programmes.
Experts are worried about the ability of poorer nations to respond to the bird flu threat, and warned that richer countries must help with vaccinations, expertise and drug stockpiling to prevent an outbreak in one nation becoming a global pandemic.
Protecting reputations
Officials also expressed concern that countries may try to hide or downplay bird flu outbreaks to protect their reputations or their economies from repercussions. China and Thailand were heavily criticised for suppressing news about severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) when it swept through Asia in 2003.
Apec leaders agreed to strengthen co-operation and technical assistance "to limit avian influenza at its source and prevent human outbreaks".
They committed their countries "to effective surveillance, transparency and openness and close domestic, regional and international co-ordination and collaboration".
Among measures adopted by the leaders are plans to develop a list of "available and funded" experts in the region and to build "capabilities for responding rapidly to pandemic influenza in its early stages".
The next human flu pandemic?
Leaders announced that a computer simulation exercise would be conducted next year "to test regional responses and communication networks".
Health experts say the H5N1 strain of bird flu currently sweeping Asia could be the source of the next human flu pandemic.
At least 67 people have died from bird flu since 2003, most after coming into contact with sick birds. Experts fear the virus will mutate into a form easily passed between humans, triggering a pandemic that could kill millions.
Bird flu outbreaks in Asia have resulted in the culling of 150 million birds, though containment measures have failed to prevent outbreaks, or the spread of the virus by migrating birds.
The virus has been found in eastern Europe and the Middle East.
Most human deaths from bird flu have been in Vietnam. Other Apec members worst hit by the virus are China and Thailand. Deaths have also been reported in Cambodia, although it is not an Apec member.
- AP
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