Animal Avian Influenza is now in Europe - Increase of HUMAN cases in Indonesia
Poultry in Turkey and Romania have been hit by cases of Avian Influenza. Croatia also confirms a case of H5N1 in wild birds. Hence the decision from the European Commission to suspend imports of birds, feathers, poultry meat and avian species from Romania and Turkey. Both countries have quarantined the affected zones and begun culling animals.
The European Commission has also delegated a team of European experts to assess the threat and the situation in affected countries. The Community Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza was used to test and sample the Turkish and Romanian cases. The Early Warning and Response System has been activated as well to step up surveillance.
Outside Europe, human cases continue to increase in Indonesia and Thailand. Human cases have been reported in Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia (60 fatalities out of 117 cases). As of today, no human cases were detected in Russia, Romania and Turkey.
A rare case of the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu being passed from one person to another has been reported by health officials in China.
Suspected human-to-human transmission of H5N1 has been reported in Hong Kong, Vietnam and Indonesia, but none of the cases have been proven.
More than 200 people have died around the world since the current outbreak began five years ago.
International front against bird flu
Various intergovernmental organisations are involved in the fight against Bird Flu: the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
The United Nations has thus decided to appoint a Senior United Nations coordinator for Avian and Human Influenza: Dr David Nabarro. His role will be to ensure an effective coordination of the United Nations, and that no overlapping activities take place in supporting local, regional, national and global preparation for a potential human pandemic.
Several international meetings took place, with the creation of an international partnership on avian and pandemic influenza to combat Bird Flu at global level, although it remains unclear the practical measure that such a partnership will implement.
On the 7-9 November 2005, the OIE, FAO, WHO and the World Bank organised a worldwide avian influenza meeting to assess the current situation and identify the funds necessary to alleviate the threat.
Despite the current difficulties, controlling the bird flu epidemic remains feasible, According to the OIE and FAO. In collaboration with the WHO, both organisations published a “joint global strategy for the progressive control of Avian Influenza”, requiring 100 million dollars over 3 years and defining immediate, short-term, medium and long-term targets (7-10 years).
Attempts to coordinate action within the European Union
The European Commission together with the European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC) are working on guidelines in close collaboration with the WHO. However, the European Commission has not yet published its revised Pandemic Influenza Preparedness Plan, which will set out the community and countries actions and roles.
The European role is to coordinate action between countries. DG Sanco has thus decided to carry out a European wide response simulation this autumn to assess if plans are not contradictory.
On the 24-26 October, the European Commission, the ECDC and the WHO Europe organised a workshop meant to review European steps toward a comprehensive pandemic influenza preparedness plan. The experts called to strengthen aspects other than pharmaceutical interventions, such as civil protection, transport, communication and health services.
The European Parliament has also been active, on one hand questioning the European Union slowness to take appropriate and effective measures against bird flu. On the other hand, amending a Commission proposal for a Directive on Avian Influenza.
Fore more information:
Library of links on Influenza
Briefing note on Influenza
Avian Flu: destroying myths
Avian Influenza monthly update - August 2005
EPHA section on communicable disease and influenza
