FAO Worries About Speedy AI Free Status

ROME - Mar 19/04 - SNS -- The FAO and World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) worry some Asian countries are declaring victory over avian influenza (AI) more quickly than they should, suggesting they are failing to properly assess the epidemiological situation.

"Collaboration between countries and the international community is essential to ensure that the avian influenza virus really is under control and that effective preventive and control measures have been put in place in each affected country and its neighbours," FAO and OIE said.

More than 3 months after the outbreak of avian influenza in several Asian countries, with 23 human deaths in Thailand and Vietnam, the situation has improved in China, Thailand and Vietnam, according to the two organizations.

"The crisis is still not over," FAO and OIE warned. "In countries such as Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand, further outbreaks could still flare up. The virus could spread again within and between countries. As long as the H5N1 virus is not fully under control, the potential threat to human health remains."

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