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Avian and pandemic influenza: ministers meet in Egypt

3 Nov 2008

Paul Chinnock

Source: Sixth International Ministerial Conference on Avian and Pandemic Influenza (see original article)
Source: Al-Ahram (see original article)
Source: STEPS Centre (see original article)

The special needs and requirements of developing and least developed countries were highlighted in the latest International Ministerial Conference on Avian and Pandemic Influenza. The meeting took place in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, 24-26th October. Delegates from 124 nations and 24 international organizations were present. The aim of this series of meetings is to review progress and mobilised resources for a long-term response to avian and pandemic influenza.

According to David Nabarro, senior UN system coordinator for avian and human influenza: ‘The threat is as great as it was five years ago – when it first appeared in Asia in 2003 – and the frequency of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks around the world started to increase. The virus is not stagnant but is mutating, thus creating great fear to us from the appearance of a human-to-human strain ... Things are a lot better now than they were when we started this work in 2005 but they are not good enough. We are still not sufficiently prepared to properly bring a pandemic under control quickly.’

There are particular concerns for poor communities in countries such as Indonesia, Nigeria and Egypt, where families often keep chickens close to their homes. Compensation for farmers affected by bird flu helps the early detection of new outbreaks, according to Dr Nabarro.

Issues discussed during the meeting included:

• Encouraging urgent and continued relevant actions by governments, international and regional organizations, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector to build long-term capacity to confront the spread of avian influenza and to prepare for a potential human pandemic.

• Introducing and examining medium-term strategies for control of avian and pandemic influenza and, more broadly, on emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases at the animal-human ecosystem interface and considering options for their implementation, and

• Reviewing the use of international funding for HPAI control and pandemic preparedness during 2007-8, and assessing the needs for additional resources in 2009. Countries and donors will have the opportunity to pledge additional funds for support to nations as they seek to confront avian influenza and prepare for a pandemic.

A report published in the run-up to the meeting– The International Response to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza: Science, Policy and Politics – urged ministers to rethink current ideas in order to achieve an effective, equitable and resilient international plan of response to emerging diseases. The report was prepared by the STEPS (Social, Technological and Environmental Pathways to Sustainability) Centre at the Institute of Development Studies (UK). A STEPS blog provides useful information on the meeting.

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