WHO: more concerned with avian influenza than SARS

The World Health Organization warned Saturday in Shanghai that a pandemic of avian influenza is likely to occur unless Asian countries intensify preventative efforts.

"Compared with SARS, I am a lot more concerned (with the avian influenza)," Shigeru Omi, director of WHO Regional Office for Western Pacific, told reporters in Shanghai.

He said at the press briefing of the 55th session of the WHO Western Pacific Regional Committee that the H5N1 virus, which had caused avian influenza among millions of poultry, was circulating far more widely than initially predicted.

"Virtually nobody has the immunity against the new virus if it developed through the process of assorting between human and avian viruses," the WHO official said.

Since the end of 2003, avian influenza has hit several Asian countries, including Thailand, Vietnam and China. A total of 28 people have so far died in 39 human avian influenza cases.

"Fortunately, so far there is no scientifically proven human tohuman cases of avian influenza... But if this situation continues for many years to come, there is a better possibility that the virus will gain a potential to transmit on a human to human basis and that's why we have to work very hard," Omi said.

To prevent the avian virus from jumping from animals to human, Omi urged countries to improve the system for reporting cases of the disease.

In addition, the WHO official called on member states to pay more attention to animal health rather than just focusing on the humans. Both the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and thebird flu are zoonosis diseases.

"Traditionally, WHO and heath authorities of the member states are giving attention to the health of humans, but not sufficient attention are given to the animal health," Omi said. "It is very important for us to improve the practices of animal raising... How we raise the chickens and how we process and market foods."

When asked to explain why Asia was frequently hit by zoonosis diseases, Omi said the high population density in Asia and mobility of its residents may contribute to the fast spread of communicable diseases.

What's more, Asia's huge demands for meats, such as chicken, also is to blame.

"In order to meet the demands, producers ... sometimes have to raise animals in unhealthy environments." he said, adding "that's why improving practice of animal raising is one of the key issues that all of us have to do".

As for SARS, the WHO official appeared to be a lot more optimistic.

"Of course we should not relax, but based on the experience and the lessons we've learned from the outbreaks of last year, the overall judgment is that we are a lot better prepared for SARS," he said.

The five-day WHO regional meeting will open on Sept. 13 in Shanghai. More than 300 representatives from 32 members of the WHO Western Pacific Regional Committee will attend the meeting.