UN agency warns bird flu outbreaks still possible
Source: AFP |
January 30, 2013, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THE UN food agency yesterday warned the world risked a surge in bird flu outbreaks unless countries strengthen their monitoring against dangerous animal diseases despite economic hardship.
"The continuing international economic downturn means less money is available for prevention of H5N1 bird flu and other threats of animal origin," said Juan Lubroth, chief veterinary officer at the Food and Agriculture Organization.
"Even though everyone knows that prevention is better than cure, I am worried because in the current climate governments are unable to keep up their guard," he added.
The agency warned large reservoirs of the H5N1 virus still exist in parts of Asia and the Middle East where it is now endemic.
"Without adequate controls, it could easily spread globally as it did at its peak in 2006, when 63 countries were affected," the agency said.
The virus killed more than 300 people between 2003 and 2011, as well as forcing the culling of 400 million domestic chickens and ducks and causing an estimated US$20 billion in economic losses.
The FAO also cautioned of the growing threat from Peste des Petits Ruminants, or PPR, a highly contagious disease that affects sheep and goats.
"The continuing international economic downturn means less money is available for prevention of H5N1 bird flu and other threats of animal origin," said Juan Lubroth, chief veterinary officer at the Food and Agriculture Organization.
"Even though everyone knows that prevention is better than cure, I am worried because in the current climate governments are unable to keep up their guard," he added.
The agency warned large reservoirs of the H5N1 virus still exist in parts of Asia and the Middle East where it is now endemic.
"Without adequate controls, it could easily spread globally as it did at its peak in 2006, when 63 countries were affected," the agency said.
The virus killed more than 300 people between 2003 and 2011, as well as forcing the culling of 400 million domestic chickens and ducks and causing an estimated US$20 billion in economic losses.
The FAO also cautioned of the growing threat from Peste des Petits Ruminants, or PPR, a highly contagious disease that affects sheep and goats.
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