APEC, Africa and the Middle East strengthen bird flu alert

Countries in the Asia-Pacific region, Africa and the Middle East have increased their alertness to bird flu after the deadly virus has recently been found in many European countries.

The 21 member states of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC) met today on October 31 in the Australian city of Brisbane to find ways to prevent the H5N1 strain of influenza.

According to Australian officials, APEC health officials meet for the first time to develop a preparation plan if the pandemic occurs and, in the worst case, the avian influenza virus can spread from person to person.

The sharing of information and the establishment of a regional flu vaccine stockpile against the H5N1 deadly virus are the top issues to be put on the agenda.

Another APEC meeting is also being prepared, scheduled to take place in mid-November in Busan, South Korea, where leaders hope to continue discussing steps to combat bird flu.

Meanwhile, also today, more than 80 ministers and veterinary experts from African countries are also meeting in Kigali's capital, Rwandan, to discuss measures to prevent the H5N1 virus from invading Africa.

Migratory birds are thought to be a source of avian influenza infection. Since bird flu was discovered in Europe, experts warned in the winter, migratory birds could bring the virus to warmer areas in North Africa, including the Nile delta.

Chicken sale in Arbil, Iraq.Iraq has detected two cases of bird flu but claims it is not H5N1

The meeting came after the World Health Organization on Friday warned that Africa was not strictly controlling bird flu and the poor health care system here would hinder if H5N1 was present.

This concern also spread to the Middle East, where two conferences were held in Egypt and Cyprus to discuss measures to combat bird flu.

Palestinian Minister of Health, Zuhni Al-Waheidi, who attended both meetings yesterday, said the Palestinian government had spent more than $ 3 million to prepare for the flu even though avian flu has not yet been released. current territory of this country.

In Iraq, Agriculture Minister Ali al-Bahadli said veterinarians have cooperated to monitor the situation. On Wednesday, northern Iraq's Kurdistan reported two cases of bird flu, but experts excluded both cases because of the H5N1 strain.

WALL VY (General)