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Source: http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTE...K:4607,00.html
Avian Flu Resurgence Raises Concern in Asia, Middle East
* Since January, the H5N1 avian flu virus has re-emerged and caused deaths across Asia and in Egypt.
* Governments concerned with impacts on health, financial systems, and livelihoods of poor farmers and families.
* Experts say investment in stronger human and animal health surveillance and preparedness is needed to avoid recurring epidemics.
March 10, 2011 -- In Cambodia, health authorities recently reported that Prak Sophorn, 19, and her 11-month-old son died of avian flu (H5N1) infection, contracted while handling dead chickens in Prey Veng province.
They are the world?s latest casualties of the H5N1 virus, which since January has re-emerged in Hong Kong (SAR PRC), Japan, Myanmar, and South Korea, and has been circulating in Egypt, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and other countries.
The surge in new infections in commercial poultry flocks and among wild birds is reminding governments and communities of the potential threat of H5N1 to national and global health, financial systems, and the livelihoods of poor farmers and families.
Epidemics like SARS in 2003, sporadic outbreaks of the H5N1 flu since 1997, and the H1N1 flu pandemic of 2009 racked up enormous economic costs around the world. While SARS cost between $50 billion to $100 billion, a World Bank estimate has pinned the potential costs of a severe flu pandemic at $3 trillion...
Avian Flu Resurgence Raises Concern in Asia, Middle East
* Since January, the H5N1 avian flu virus has re-emerged and caused deaths across Asia and in Egypt.
* Governments concerned with impacts on health, financial systems, and livelihoods of poor farmers and families.
* Experts say investment in stronger human and animal health surveillance and preparedness is needed to avoid recurring epidemics.
March 10, 2011 -- In Cambodia, health authorities recently reported that Prak Sophorn, 19, and her 11-month-old son died of avian flu (H5N1) infection, contracted while handling dead chickens in Prey Veng province.
They are the world?s latest casualties of the H5N1 virus, which since January has re-emerged in Hong Kong (SAR PRC), Japan, Myanmar, and South Korea, and has been circulating in Egypt, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and other countries.
The surge in new infections in commercial poultry flocks and among wild birds is reminding governments and communities of the potential threat of H5N1 to national and global health, financial systems, and the livelihoods of poor farmers and families.
Epidemics like SARS in 2003, sporadic outbreaks of the H5N1 flu since 1997, and the H1N1 flu pandemic of 2009 racked up enormous economic costs around the world. While SARS cost between $50 billion to $100 billion, a World Bank estimate has pinned the potential costs of a severe flu pandemic at $3 trillion...