Health experts and officials from 85 countries have agreed to expand cooperation in containing bird flu and expressed support for the principles the United States proposed for an international partnership in response to a possible bird flu epidemic.

During the Oct. 6-7 meeting held at the US State Department, participants from the countries and eight international organizations discussed how to coordinate efforts and resources in responding to a possible human pandemic caused by mutated H5N1 avian flu virus.

The meeting was called by the United States, which proposed 10 core principles for the International Partnership on Avian and Pandemic Influenza, a program US President George W. Bush initiated in mid-September at the United Nations in New York.

The principles include transparency in reporting any potential outbreaks, "immediate sharing of epidemiological data and samples with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the international community," and "timely coordination of bilateral and multilateral resource allocations."

Fears are mounting that mutations of the bird flu virus would quickly acquire the ability to transmit easily among humans. As humans have no immunity against the virus, experts believe millions could be killed within months of a pandemic.

The United States called for a strengthened political will from governments for a coordinated response and increased public awareness of the situation.

In the statement of principles, it also urged countries to "work in a manner complementary to and supportive of expanded cooperation with and appropriate support of key multilateral organizations (WHO, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Organization for Animal Health)."

The H5N1 bird flu virus has so far caused more than 100 human infections, including at least 60 deaths in four Asian nations since late 2003. Tens of millions of birds have been killed during the outbreaks.

According to experts, scientists need to keep testing samples of the virus in order to monitor the virus evolution and develop vaccines. To make this happen, all countries will have to share information without any delay and allow the immediate treatment of patients.

Source: Xinhua