UN AGENCIES SAY UNPRECEDENTED SPREAD OF AVIAN INFLUENZA REQUIRES BROAD COLLABORATION

UN AGENCIES SAY UNPRECEDENTED SPREAD OF AVIAN INFLUENZA

REQUIRES BROAD COLLABORATION

(Reissued as received.)

ROME/GENEVA/PARIS, 27 January (FAO/WHO/OIE) -- The spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza in several areas in Asia is a threat to human health and a disaster for agricultural production, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a joint statement today.

Although it has not happened yet, the so-called “bird flu” presents a risk of evolving into an efficient and dangerous human pathogen, the three agencies warned.

The possible widespread occurrence of avian flu in animals in developing countries represents a significant control challenge.  The FAO, the OIE and WHO appealed to donors to address the global threat from avian flu and to provide funds and technical assistance to countries to help eliminate this threat.

“With SARS, we learned that only by working together can we control emerging global public health threats”, said Dr. Lee Jong-wook, WHO Director-General.  “Now, we confront another threat to human health and we must reaffirm existing collaboration and form new ones.  At the international level, WHO, FAO and OIE stand together in close working relationship to provide the necessary guidance to Member States.”

Highly pathogenic avian influenza is a threat to public health because, if it circulates long enough in humans and farm animals, there is an increased risk that it may evolve into a pandemic influenza strain which could cause disease worldwide.  In addition, avian influenza is an economic disaster for the poultry industry, as well as small poultry farmers.

The focus of FAO, OIE and WHO activities is to avert a human and animal pandemic.

“We have a brief window of opportunity before us to eliminate that threat”, said Dr. Jacques Diouf, FAO Director-General.

“Farmers in affected areas urgently need to kill infected and exposed animals and require support to compensate for such losses.  This will represent a huge cost, especially to struggling economies and small farmers.  The international community has a stake in the success of these efforts and poorer nations will need help”, Dr. Diouf said.

The FAO and the OIE also called for a tight and effective control of animal movement in affected areas.  Farm workers need to be protected during the culling operations by wearing protective clothing.  In addition, vaccines need to be supplied.  Farmers, especially backyard farmers, need to be supported for losses that will surely be significant.

The threat from avian influenza is well understood.  Unlike SARS, diagnostic tests already exist, as do effective, although costly, antivirals for humans.  While it is challenging, research is already well under way on the development of a human vaccine against this strain.

“This is a serious global threat to human health”, said Dr. Lee Jong-wook.  “But we have faced several emerging infectious diseases in the past.  This time, we face something we can possibly control before it reaches global proportions if we work cooperatively and share needed resources.  We must begin this hard, costly work now.”

For more information, contact:  Erwin Northoff, Information Officer, FAO, e-mail: erwin.northoff@fao.org, tel.: (+39) 06 570 53105; FAO Newsroom: http://www.fao.org/english/newsroom/.

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