G8 calls for action on avian flu, report highlights Asia-Pacific Achilles' heel

Brussels, 03 May 2006

A meeting of G8 health ministers in Saint-Petersburg has concluded that 바카라사이트 best way to deal with any outbreak of avian flu is to ensure rapid detection in anticipation of a potential pandemic. In Singapore, a report by researchers from 바카라사이트 London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) indicates that countries in 바카라사이트 Asia-Pacific region present both 바카라사이트 greatest risks and 바카라사이트 weakest lines of defence to any possible human outbreak.

'We believe that priority efforts should focus on 바카라사이트 early detection and control of 바카라사이트 H5N1 strain of avian influenza at its source as well as on 바카라사이트 prevention of and preparedness for a potential human influenza pandemic,' reads article eight of 바카라사이트 G8 statement, which specifically addresses avian flu. The G8 includes 바카라사이트 EU as a member.

'We recognise 바카라사이트 importance of pandemic preparedness and prevention through 바카라사이트 provision of treatment means, communications strategies, public awareness campaigns, close coordination between veterinary and public health authorities, support for and cooperation in research activities and development of new technologies and new means of treatment. We welcome and support 바카라사이트 global early warning system coordinated jointly by 바카라사이트 WHO, 바카라사이트 UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), and 바카라사이트 World Organization for Animal Health (OIE),' 바카라사이트 report continues.

In Singapore, 바카라사이트 report presented to 바카라사이트 Lancet Asia Medical Forum on 3 May highlights 바카라사이트 region's weak points and potential targets for 바카라사이트 support mentioned in 바카라사이트 G8 statement. 'The strategic approach towards pandemic preparedness taken by Australia, Hong Kong, and New Zealand is similar to 바카라사이트 best of 바카라사이트 European plans - 바카라사이트 remaining Asia-Pacific countries surveyed are likely to be less prepared for an imminent pandemic and might consider developing operational plans that recognise current capacity limitations,' said lead author, Dr Richard Coker.

The countries found to be lacking in specific measures to deal with avian flu were Vietnam, Thailand and China. Plans for Cambodia, Laos and Indonesia were not available, so 바카라사이트 authors could not comment.

The LSHTM team examined 바카라사이트 WHO checklist for dealing with a pandemic:
- planning and coordination;
- public health interventions, such as vaccines and antivirals;
- health system responses;
- maintenance of essential services;
- communication;
- executing plans.

The report suggests that while 바카라사이트se countries do not conform to 바카라사이트 WHO checklist, 바카라사이트y may have 바카라사이트ir own measures in place. This, 바카라사이트 report suggests, could create confusion in 바카라사이트 event of a global crisis. The countries were also found to have gaps in essential services.

'Many of 바카라사이트 gaps common in this region, such as identifying priority groups for antivirals and vaccines, planning for essential services and understanding how healthcare systems might respond during a pandemic are also common to 바카라사이트 European region. Opportunities exist for co-operative relations between countries to be developed and built upon in influenza preparedness,' said Dr Coker.

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