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Avian Influenza

New Delhi Resolution

Emergency Meeting of SAARC Senior Officials on the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) (Bird Flu), New Delhi, 16 February 2004

We, the Senior Officials from the Health and the Agriculture or the Livestock Ministries;

Noting the commitment of SAARC Member States to prevent and control the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) (Bird Flu) in the region;

Appreciating the initiative of the Government of India for hosting this Emergency Meeting of Senior Officials;

Recalling the decision by the Health Ministers at the First SAARC Health Ministers Conference at New Delhi, to enhance the inter country cooperation to address problems of emerging and re-emerging diseases;

Recognizing the gravity of HPAI, which is rapidly spreading in many countries in Asia through H5N1 virus even though the SAARC Region is as yet free of this virus;

Noting that poultry products of this region are safe for human consumption;

Further recognizing the importance of regular exchange of uptodate information and knowledge on HPAI both at the regional and international level;

Concerned about the serious implications, both human as well economic, of the spread of the disease in the densely populated SAARC Region;

Emphasizing the importance of public empowerment through mobilization of all stake holders in order to prevent both the transmission of HPAI among the SAARC Countries as well as avoidable panic reactions;

Appreciating the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for their commitment to effectively deal with the situation arising out of the spread of the HPAI;

Reiterating the need for early setting up of a SAARC Surveillance Centre and a Rapid Deployment Health System to deal with emerging and reemerging diseases;

Affirming the commitment of the Member States to take effective steps in a transparent manner to avoid the spread of HPAI in the region;

1. Decided to strengthen cooperation among Member States, in collaboration with WHO and FAO, in taking measures to prevent and control the spread of HPAI in the region.

2. Agreed to strengthen the mechanisms for surveillance, recording, reporting, diagnosis and management of the disease by exchange and pooling of expertise and resources within the SAARC Member States.

3. Called for strict infection control measures in human and animal health care facilities as well as at community level.

4. Recommended enforcement of temporary ban on import of live poultry, poultry meat products, eggs and egg products and other byproducts, poultry vaccines and medicines as well as poultry feed from HPAI affected countries.

5. Further Recommended, temporary ban on the import of exotic aviary (pet) birds from all countries.

6. Called for setting up of two national focal points one each for livestock and human health in each country, to facilitate the implementation of decisions taken at this meeting as well as at subsequent meetings, if any, and also for facilitating regional cooperation.

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