Risk of repeat avian flu pandemic
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has warned that another outbreak on the scale of the 2006 pandemic could occur, unless surveillance and control of dangerous animal diseases is strengthened globally.
In a statement recently issued by the organisation, it was said that strict ongoing vigilance is required, as large reservoirs of the H5N1 virus still exist in some countries in Asia and the Middle East, where the disease has become endemic. Without adequate controls, the statement continued, the disease could again spread across the globe as it did in 2006.
FAO's chief veterinary officer Juan Lubroth, feels the problem lies in the lack of funds for virus prevention, due to the continuing economic downturn. "Even though everyone knows prevention is better than cure, I am worried because in the current climate governments are unable to keep up their guard," he said. The organisation has termed the lack of preventative action "regrettable" as it has been shown that with appropriate measures the virus can be eliminated from the poultry sector.
Lubroth also raised concerns about the development of another animal disease, peste des petits ruminants (PPR), which he says is currently expanding in sub-Saharan Africa, and starting to spill over into southern Africa. "The damage could well be huge," he said. "The irony is that a perfectly good vaccine exists for PPR, but few people are using it."
Despite tight budgets, the FAO insist that international organisations should try to do more to prevent the spread of dangerous animal diseases, as well as improving planning and coordination. "Investing in prevention means improving hygiene practices, market and border controls, and health security in farms and markets," the FAO says. "It includes equipping laboratories and training staff to diagnose and respond to disease outbreaks." The organisation also points out that it makes economic sense to invest more in prevention, given that between 2003 and 2011 avian influenza cost an estimated US $20 billion of economic damage.
Speaking in an interview posted on the FAO's website, Lubroth said: "I think surveillance is down, investments are down…I don't think the systems in place are as robust as they should be after the experience of H5N1. And should something else hit, because the veterinary systems and medical services are not up to snuff, then I think we could have a problem on our hands. When will that occur? I don't know."
Click here to watch the full interview with Dr Lubroth.
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