Avian Influenza and the Pandemic Threat

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 has been with us for over 10 years. The virus made its first jump into humans in Hong Kong in 1997, infecting 18 people and killing six.

Since its re-emergence in Asia in 2003, avian flu outbreaks have been confirmed in about 60 countries in domestic poultry or wild birds. To date, the virus has infected 387 people and killed 245 of them (October 2008); many of the dead are children and young adults. The highest number of cases has occurred in two countries: Indonesia and Viet Nam.

The current panzootic of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) caused by viruses of the H5N1 sub-type has now extended to over 60 countries. It has caused high mortalities in affected poultry flocks, with additional losses of income due to market disruption as a result of control activities and market shock due to consumer concerns for human health.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) will not be eradicated in the short term. However, it can certainly be eliminated from the poultry sector if husbandry and marketing practices are significantly improved and the regulatory authorities take necessary measures to improve animal health and secure livelihoods. Governments need to create an enabling policy environment in which the private sector is encouraged to adopt better production and market standards.

Place : Ottawa, Canada

Organization : the Government of Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/intactiv/pandem-flu/index_e.html

Agenda : to enhance global planning and collaboration on pandemic influenza.

Participation : Delegations from 30 countries and representatives from nine international organizations.

Focus : Pandemic

Coverage : Global

Place : Nairobi, Kenya

Organization : ALive

Agenda : Prevention and control of Avian and Human Influenza in preparation to the next International Conference on Avian and Human Influenza to be held in Bamako, December 2006

Participation : -

Focus : Avian Flu, Avian Flu in Human, and Pandemic

Coverage : Regional

Place : Libreville, Gabon

Organization : UN system regional Meetings

Agenda : -

Participation : UN regional

Focus : Avian Flu and Pandemic

Coverage : Regional

Place : Tokyo

Organization : Japan, WHO

Agenda : Two day meeting to discuss the way to contain the potential influenza pandemic at early global stage.

Participation : Government officials from Asia and donor countries, and organization

Focus : Pandemic

Coverage : Regional

National preparedness

• Simulation exercises on influenza pandemic responses in the Asia-Pacific region
• 39 Steps governments should take to prepare for a pandemic [pdf]
• WHO guidelines and recommendations
• Vision and road map in the six official languages