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11/03/2004
Asian countries warned not to drop guard against bird flu
The UN has warned south east Asia countries affected by the bird flu outbreak not to be "too hasty" after it emerged the some intended to declare virus-free zones and restock decimated farm flocks.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) today warned that such action could see the disease flaring up again in areas which have been successfully controlled.
"In the battle against the disease, there are definitely some improvements. But we fear that the virus may continue to circulate in the environment even without an outbreak or any clinical signs in animals," the Chief of the Animal Health Service Joseph Domenech said.
Over the past two months, more than 100 million birds have either died of the flu or been culled, while there have been 33 confirmed cases of the disease’s transmission to humans, 22 of them fatal.
"Appropriate precautionary measures have to be put in place to be absolutely sure that infected zones are free from infection and will remain free," Mr Domenech added.
Before restocking, countries must prove the absence of virus circulation by using non-vaccinated chickens on affected areas to test for possible infection, as well as monitoring poultry movement, preventing contact between domestic and wild birds and implementing intensive disease surveillance, the FAO said.
If countries want to resume exports they have to prove that they are free from avian influenza and their status will be verified by independent international experts, it added.
The virulent H5N1 strain has been confirmed in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Laos, Thailand and Viet Nam, while poultry has also been culled in Pakistan.
(gmcg)
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) today warned that such action could see the disease flaring up again in areas which have been successfully controlled.
"In the battle against the disease, there are definitely some improvements. But we fear that the virus may continue to circulate in the environment even without an outbreak or any clinical signs in animals," the Chief of the Animal Health Service Joseph Domenech said.
Over the past two months, more than 100 million birds have either died of the flu or been culled, while there have been 33 confirmed cases of the disease’s transmission to humans, 22 of them fatal.
"Appropriate precautionary measures have to be put in place to be absolutely sure that infected zones are free from infection and will remain free," Mr Domenech added.
Before restocking, countries must prove the absence of virus circulation by using non-vaccinated chickens on affected areas to test for possible infection, as well as monitoring poultry movement, preventing contact between domestic and wild birds and implementing intensive disease surveillance, the FAO said.
If countries want to resume exports they have to prove that they are free from avian influenza and their status will be verified by independent international experts, it added.
The virulent H5N1 strain has been confirmed in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Laos, Thailand and Viet Nam, while poultry has also been culled in Pakistan.
(gmcg)
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25 February 2004
UN calls for stronger action as bird flu outbreaks continue
As officials from nearly two dozen Asia-Pacific countries prepared to gather in Bangkok for an emergency meeting on bird flu, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) today warned that outbreaks of the disease were still occurring and control campaigns needed to be stepped up.
UN calls for stronger action as bird flu outbreaks continue
As officials from nearly two dozen Asia-Pacific countries prepared to gather in Bangkok for an emergency meeting on bird flu, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) today warned that outbreaks of the disease were still occurring and control campaigns needed to be stepped up.
30 January 2004
'Bird flu' fears sees EU ban on bird imports
Following public concerns over the outbreak of bird flu in southeast Asia, the European Commission has agreed to suspend all imports of captive and pet birds from nine Asian countries into the EU.
'Bird flu' fears sees EU ban on bird imports
Following public concerns over the outbreak of bird flu in southeast Asia, the European Commission has agreed to suspend all imports of captive and pet birds from nine Asian countries into the EU.
04 February 2004
UN offers 'bird flu' countries $1.6m aid package
The four Asian countries most seriously effected by the recent outbreak of avian influenza or 'bird flu' are set to receive $1.6 million in UN funding to help them battle the virus, it has been announced today.
UN offers 'bird flu' countries $1.6m aid package
The four Asian countries most seriously effected by the recent outbreak of avian influenza or 'bird flu' are set to receive $1.6 million in UN funding to help them battle the virus, it has been announced today.
03 March 2004
World's biggest bird flu outbreak could take years to control: WHO
With more poultry affected over the past two months in the current bird flu epidemic in Asia than the total number in the world’s five previous largest outbreaks combined, the UN health agency has warned that it could take years to bring the present outbreaks under control.
World's biggest bird flu outbreak could take years to control: WHO
With more poultry affected over the past two months in the current bird flu epidemic in Asia than the total number in the world’s five previous largest outbreaks combined, the UN health agency has warned that it could take years to bring the present outbreaks under control.
13 February 2004
Bird flu 'still not under control' despite culls
Although some 80 million chickens have so far been culled to fight the Asian bird flu epidemic, the spread of the virus is still not under control in several countries, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said today.
Bird flu 'still not under control' despite culls
Although some 80 million chickens have so far been culled to fight the Asian bird flu epidemic, the spread of the virus is still not under control in several countries, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said today.
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