The European Commission (EC) has allocated a fund of 30 million euros to assist Asian countries in combating avian influenza in 2006. The exact amount that Vietnam will receive will be announced immediately following the conclusion of the International Partners Conference on avian influenza and human flu, which takes place in Geneva from November 7 to 9.
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Mr. Markos Kyprianou: “The avian influenza crisis is not just a national issue; it is a top threat globally.” |
Mr. Markos Kyprianou, the European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, confirmed this information at a press conference held by the EC this afternoon (November 8). He stated that Vietnam’s preparedness in terms of human resources for combating influenza is currently very good. However, Vietnam needs to enhance its infrastructure and supportive equipment for pandemic prevention efforts. He also pointed out that Hanoi should pay more attention to those directly involved in avian influenza prevention efforts.
“The Vietnamese government should adequately compensate poultry farmers so that the poorest among them can let go of their livelihoods without having to dwell too much on the significant losses,” Mr. Markos Kyprianou said.
Previously, the EU had supported Vietnam with a total of 1.6 million euros in the fight against avian influenza during outbreaks in 2004 and early 2005. This funding, coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO), was used to purchase medical equipment, preventive medicines, and antiviral drugs, as well as to implement awareness-raising activities, including training for health staff. This is part of a larger support package for Vietnam’s healthcare sector, totaling around 27 million euros, with the EC being one of the leading donors.
During the press conference, Mr. Markos Kyprianou also mentioned that EU countries currently have two types of emergency action plans in place in case of a pandemic: one at the union level and one for each member state.
These plans were discussed at a committee meeting in Copenhagen (Denmark) last weekend. Accordingly, some European countries are considering the possibility of repatriating all their staff working in countries affected by avian influenza.
In Asia, the first suspected case of the H5N1 avian influenza virus was identified in Thailand in November 2003. Since then, there have been numerous confirmed outbreaks in Cambodia, China (including Hong Kong), Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, North Korea, Pakistan, South Korea, and Vietnam. The geographical spread of H5N1 influenza continues in Asia and has extended to Russia, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan. The outbreak has affected all domesticated poultry and wild birds, resulting in the loss of 150 million birds in the region. The disease has also caused 62 human fatalities.
H.Yen
