Friday, March 9, 2007

Bird flu virus high on Health Ministers' agenda

THE threat of an influenza pandemic caused by the highly pathogenic (H5N1) avian influenza virus circulating in a number of countries around the world will be high on the agenda of Health Ministers and senior officials from 21 Pacific Island countries when they meet in Vanuatu next week.
Discussions on this subject will focus on the World Health Organisation's Asia Pacific Strategy for Emerging Diseases (APSED), the International Health Regulations (2005) and the Pacific Leaders response to the avian influenza threat in the region through the Pacific Regional Influenza Pandemic Preparedness initiative (PRIPPP).
The three-day meeting from 12 March will also seek ways to further promote health of the Pacific Island people and to strengthen the collaborative fight against diseases.
Dr Jimmie Rodgers, Director-General of the SPC, said: ''I am happy to see the agenda of the meeting giving more prominence to a strategic approach to health in the region. Tabling non-communicable diseases at the meeting is very important, as recent studies indicate that diseases related to lifestyle are becoming a major threat for Pacific Island people.''
The meeting is jointly organised by the SPC and WHO.

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