World health experts outline bird flu strategy
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International health experts on Wednesday agreed to the outlines of a global strategy to tackle the spread of bird flu that the World Bank has estimated would cost up to $1 billion over three years.
Wrapping up three days of talks, World Health Organisation (WHO) chief Lee Jong-Wook said the strategy covered minimising the virus threat at source in animals and humans, strengthening early warning systems, strengthening veterinary services, improving countries’ pandemic preparedness, making access to anti-viral drugs fairer and more research into pandemic vaccines.
“This meeting had identified a series of integrated actions that will start straight away,” he said.
“Investments are urgently needed at the national level, potentially reaching $1 billion over the next three years.”
He also highlighted improved communication to the public as a priority and said a donor mechanism should be put in place.
A donor conference is set for January 17-18 in Beijing.
The World Bank has proposed a financing framework, which it said would be focused on funding “country-owned programmes” to combat the spread of the H5N1 virus, which has killed more than 60 people in Asia and led to the culling of 150 million birds.
The World Bank has said its package would contain both grants or interest-free loans for countries, while half of the $1 billion needed will be funded by a trust financed by donors.
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