Shigeru Omi, director of the World Health Organization's Western Pacific Regional Office, has urged researchers in all countries in the region to share samples of poultry and human avian influenza viruses in order to prevent a possible global pandemic. He emphasized the importance of timely exchange.

All member states in the region have vowed to strengthen exchanges and cooperation, said Omi, who was in Shanghai for the 55th session of the WHO Western Pacific Regional Committee. The region now includes 37 member states.

Avian influenza, or bird flu, has already wreaked havoc in the region with 40 human cases confirmed as of September 9, including 29 fatalities, in Vietnam and Thailand.

Several new suspected cases were reported last week in Thailand and Malaysia.

Bird flu reappeared in China among chickens in Anhui Province in early July, but no human cases have been reported.

Omi said that relatively little is known about the disease, including how it is transmitted to humans. Further research is essential.

He warned that the possibility of the virus spreading from region to region, country to country, chickens to humans, and from humans to humans exists because it continues to circulate and to adapt.

Scientists still do not know how the patients in Vietnam were infected, as they had no contact with poultry.

Omi noted that the virus might be carried by other animals, such as dogs and horses, which might also transmit the virus to humans.

"We all know that the effective way to control the virus is to slaughter sick poultry, but we cannot kill all the animals that might carry the virus. This means we must strengthen animal husbandry," he said.

All countries and individuals, especially those who have close contact with poultry, must be well prepared to prevent or contain every possible outbreak of avian influenza.

Authorities must develop prevention, surveillance and reporting, and quick response systems. They also need to inform people of how to protect themselves and more closely coordinate the work of various departments, including agriculture, health and science.

(Xinhua News Agency September 20, 2004)