Avian flu Help Increased

With an extended burst of applause, representatives from more han 120 nations closed an international meeting whose focus was highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza and the need to control and then eradicate the virus in poultry and prepare the planet for a human pandemic. The conference produced pledges of financial assistance from the United States, Japan and Norway of more than $350 million and offers of technical assistance from many countries to more vulnerable nations. Newly developed international health mechanisms have resuled in a coordinated global approach to *(to avian flu and other infectitious disease threats), Paula, Under Secretary of state for democracy and global affairs and head of the US delegation, told attendees. International focus on the twin threats, she added, both from the spread of avian influenza in domestic and migratory birds but also from a possible viral mutation that would cause a potentially devastating human pandemic, has led to action worldwide. Officials addressing the conference were Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmad Nazif, Agriculture Minister Amin Abaza, Health Minister Hatem el-Gabalyaza and World Organization for Animal Health director Bernard Valat. Our conference should spare no effort in enacting concrete and strong actions to combat the imminent threat of avian influenza. Following the example of Egypt, transparency should be the cornerstone of our strategy, el-Gabalyaza said. Raising the citizens awareness by creating efficient communications and media coverage and pooling our resources are important measures to be embraced worldwide, he added. We need, more than ever before, strengthened partnerships among science, polycymakers, industry, the business community and civil society. Also addressing the meeting were World Bank vice president Jeffrey Gutman, food and agriculture organiation dy DG Jim Butler, WHO, Dy DG Anarfi Asamoa-Baah and UN System Influenza Coordinator David Nabarro. More than 350 conference participants- including 63 government ministers, senior officials who represented 120 countries and 26 international organizations, researchers, representatives of international and regional organizations, and non-governmental and private groups-addressed three main challenges: Making sure the world is prepared to mitigate the effects of a flu pandemic or another public health catastrophe. Sustaining efforts to control H5N1, especially in poultry, and eventually eradicate the H5N1 virus from domestic animals in countries that still suffer from it. Initiating longer term action for responding to infectious diseases that emerge at the animal-human-ecosystem interface.