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WHO
welcomes initiatives on regional production of antiviral drugs against avian
influenza
SEA/PR/1408
20 October 2005
New Delhi, 20 October 2005: “The Avian
influenza situation is evolving rapidly .Our concern is to protect the world
against the threat of an influenza pandemic.
Stockpiling of the influenza drug, oseltamivir
(Tamiflu), currently the only known drug to show
some effectiveness against the H5N1 virus is an important defence against a
flu pandemic. Therefore, enhancing
availability of and access to antivirals such as oseltamivir is a critical issue,” said Dr Samlee Plianbangchang, Regional
Director, WHO’s South-East Asia Region. He added, “We welcome the prospect of
regional manufacture of oseltamivir in India and Thailand and also the press
statements by Roche regarding its willingness to sub-licence the production
to other manufacturers. With this step, a vastly greater amount of oseltamivir would become available which will
significantly increase the preparedness. Thus the pharmaceutical industry in
the developed and developing world would cooperate in the defence against a
public health crisis in the developing world”.
With
avian influenza being reported in birds in European countries, the concern
about the pandemic flagged earlier by WHO and other health experts has once
again gained global attention. Given the global threat of avian influenza,
concerns are being voiced worldwide about the unavailability of sufficient
quantities of anti-viral drugs.
While
no human cases have been reported from Europe,
countries of the South-Asian Region, face the biggest risk of an avian
influenza pandemic. Indonesia, Thailand,
Cambodia and Vietnam have
already reported 117 human cases of avian influenza. Of these 60 people have
died, and millions of birds have been culled in an attempt to prevent further
spread of the disease. “With every fresh outbreak of H5N1 in birds, the pool
of virus circulating in these countries has increased, adding to the risk of
infecting more human beings, and perhaps increasing possibility of emergence
of a pandemic virus,” said Dr Samlee.
When
the pandemic strikes, it would rapidly move around the globe and each country
would essentially need to be prepared to deal with its social and economic
consequences, nationally.
WHO
in the South-East Asia Region is supporting its Member Countries in
formulating their national integrated influenza pandemic preparedness plans. Stockpiling
of the anti viral drug, which would help to contain the spread the epidemic
when it strikes, is one of the important components of the preparedness plan.
Country
preparedness plans must include heightened influenza surveillance among human
beings and birds, as early signs of disease and death would alert health
authorities to take urgent action.
Prompt, effective poultry outbreak containment, laboratory support,
risk communication and strengthening capacity of human resources are other
important response measures.
The
avian influenza is a serious potential threat to human health and WHO is
working with all its partners to prepare to contain its spread, and to treat
those who are infected.
For more information, contact:
Mrs. Harsaran Bir Kaur Pandey, Public Information
Advocacy Officer,
Mobile + 91
98-106-95878 or Tel + 91 11 23309401.
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