Governments take urgent action against bird flu

The fight against global bird flu has been more urgent since October 22, 2005, after many governments strengthened self-protection measures in money, reserve drugs and isolation plans at airports. These measures were taken at the same time as news of avian influenza cases appeared in Britain, Croatia, Russia and recently Sweden.

At a press conference in Washington yesterday, US officials said the US pledged to spend $ 38 million to help Asia prevent disease outbreaks. Assistant Secretary of State Paula Dobriansky, who just returned from a trip to countries with Southeast Asian bird flu last week, said the money will be spent to support Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Indonesia primarily for strengthen testing and monitoring capacity, training staff. The US government is also planning to ask Congress to spend this extra money.

US Health Secretary Michael Leavitt also confirmed urgent action is needed to prevent the current outbreak of avian influenza.

In another development, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) also announced yesterday it will pump an additional $ 50 million to support the fight against bird flu before it becomes a pandemic affecting human life and Asian economy.

ADB said that a "relatively mild pandemic" could also cost the region between $ 90 billion and $ 110 billion due to a decline in investment and trade. There is a 'big boom' that can lead to global economic stagnation.

To date, there have been further signs that the disease continues to be uncontrollable. Croatia yesterday reported a number of wild swans with bird flu, while an imported H5N1 bird from South America discovered when imported into the UK.

Taiwan has confirmed it will produce its Tamilflu, even though Roche has only franchised its four US companies.

Meanwhile, Australia has planned to isolate passengers at airports, measuring body temperature that anyone who does not comply will be transferred to quarantine centers.

The Chinese press also said today it will close the border if the first case of flu spreads from person to person. Health Vice Minister Huang Jiefu affirmed: "The life of the pupils is more important than the economy" when announcing this measure.

LINH LINH (According to Xinhua, Reuters)