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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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