The World Health Organization (WHO) warned here Monday that more diseases originating in animals might continue to emerge in the future and threat the health of human beings.

"Both avian influenza and SARS originated in animals, and as did other recent emerging pathogens ... We can be virtually certain that more zoonotic diseases will continue to emerge," said Shigeru Omi, director of the WHO's Regional Office for Western Pacific, at the regional committee's 55th session in Shanghai.

In history, diseases transmitted from animals frequently pestered human beings. The recent one was highly pathogenic avian influenza. In November 2003, the disease was reported from the Republic of Korea and the pathogen was identified as influenza A (H5N1). Other outbreaks were soon reported from several countries in Asia.

Despite the aggressive control measures, there have been more outbreaks of avian influenza in recent months, some with human cases.

"The virus is proving more difficult to contain completely than we had initially thought. It is still circulating and we have to anticipate more human cases," he said.

Since February last year, over 100 million chickens and ducks died or were culled due to H5N1. In humans, there have been 39 reported cases and 28 deaths, but no human to human infection was scientifically proved so far.

Omi said the world has a long battle ahead against the avian influenza. "If we are to succeed, we will have to think again about our strategy."

"For example, animal health has not traditionally been seen as part of WHO's mandate. We can no longer afford to take that view," he said.

The WHO official said the WHO Western Pacific Region was now preparing a bi-regional strategy with WHO's South-East Asia Region to combat outbreak-prone diseases, which will include measures on the production and marketing of animals for food.

The WHO will also coordinate its work with the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations and the World Organization for Animal health, Omi said.

"Many of the emerging global threats to health begin in Asia. If we can nip them in the bud here, the whole world will benefit,"he said.

Source: Xinhua