Unprecedented spread of avian influenza requires broad collaborationFAO/OIE/WHO call for international assistance
27 January 2004 | GENEVA/ROME/PARIS -- 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 UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Organisation 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.
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”We have a brief window of opportunity before us to eliminate that threat,” said Dr. Jacques Diouf, FAO Director-General.
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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 underway 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.”
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Avian influenzaLatest information
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/