Greek Health Minister Nikitas Kaklamanis announced that next month, Greece will host a conference involving countries from the Balkan region and the Black Sea to discuss avian influenza.
According to Mr. Kaklamanis, Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis has approved this plan, which entails holding the conference in early November with the participation of health ministers from the region. The conference aims to develop a detailed action plan in the event of a pandemic.
Last week, a conference of Black Sea countries was held in Istanbul, Turkey; however, Mr. Kaklamanis stated that “the results achieved were not very successful because some countries assessed the level of danger, while others did not.”
Test results on poultry and wild birds in Greece have returned negative. However, the Greek Minister of Agriculture is advising the public to remain vigilant and is calling on hunters and environmental groups to check whether migratory birds from Northern Europe are carrying the avian influenza virus into the country.
Mr. Kaklamanis mentioned that there will be an EU summit on avian influenza in early December, with the participation of health ministers from member countries.
KINH LUÂN (According to AFP)