Snowy Owl
Retired in 2010, In Memoriam
Conference to highlight recent alarming increase in the number of countries infected by avian flu
Conference details ? Risks and impact of an avian flu pandemic
http://www.careaustralia.org.au/show_mediarelease.asp?id=148
This event is presented by Asialink and CARE Australia
When: Wednesday, 12 April 2006
Time: 6:30 pm ? 7.45 pm
Where: Carillo Gantner Lecture Theatre, Sidney Myer Asia Centre, University of Melbourne (Corner Swanston Street and Monash Road)
Entry: Free
12 April 2006 ? In the last three months, the deadly avian flu virus has spread to 30 new countries, twice the number than in the previous two and half years, said CARE Australia?s Chief Executive Dr Robert Glasser, a panellist at today?s joint CARE/Asialink conference on avian flu.
The conference, which is open to the public, will focus on the risks and impact of an avian flu pandemic both here in Australia and overseas. Other panellists include Professor Graham Brown, Interim Director at Nossal Institute of Global Health at the University of Melbourne, and Elizabeth Birbilis, Senior Policy and Planning Advisor at the Department of Human Services, Public Health, Victoria.
?Avian flu has infected birds in 30 new countries in the last three months including in Africa, The Middle East and Europe, and has killed more than 100 people in total,? said Dr Glasser. ?In the past two and half years only 15 countries, mostly in Asia, have reported cases of avian flu. This sudden increase is extremely worrying and may increase the risk of a deadly flu pandemic.?
CARE Australia has played a leading role in responding to avian flu in the Mekong region including an awareness campaign targeting communities, health and animal workers in Vietnam. Public service announcements on preventing avian flu created by CARE are now airing on television in Binh Dinh Province in Central Vietnam and Long An province in the Mekong Delta.
These announcements are expected to reach 1.5 million people ? approximately 60 per cent of the total population of both provinces.
?Not enough attention is being paid to fighting avian flu at its source,? said Dr Glasser. ?Little of the US$1.9 billion pledged at the China avian flu conference in January, to help developing countries strengthen health and veterinary services and boost surveillance measures, has actually materialised.?
?Without funds, developing countries will not be able to prepare a coordinated response to prevent the rapid spread of avian flu, increasing the risk of the avian flu strain mutating into a human pandemic that could have disastrous consequences for poor people living in developing countries,? said Dr Glasser.
For interviews with Dr Robert Glasser, Chief Executive of CARE Australia, please call Jessica Walker on 0419 567 777.
Conference details ? Risks and impact of an avian flu pandemic
http://www.careaustralia.org.au/show_mediarelease.asp?id=148
This event is presented by Asialink and CARE Australia
When: Wednesday, 12 April 2006
Time: 6:30 pm ? 7.45 pm
Where: Carillo Gantner Lecture Theatre, Sidney Myer Asia Centre, University of Melbourne (Corner Swanston Street and Monash Road)
Entry: Free
12 April 2006 ? In the last three months, the deadly avian flu virus has spread to 30 new countries, twice the number than in the previous two and half years, said CARE Australia?s Chief Executive Dr Robert Glasser, a panellist at today?s joint CARE/Asialink conference on avian flu.
The conference, which is open to the public, will focus on the risks and impact of an avian flu pandemic both here in Australia and overseas. Other panellists include Professor Graham Brown, Interim Director at Nossal Institute of Global Health at the University of Melbourne, and Elizabeth Birbilis, Senior Policy and Planning Advisor at the Department of Human Services, Public Health, Victoria.
?Avian flu has infected birds in 30 new countries in the last three months including in Africa, The Middle East and Europe, and has killed more than 100 people in total,? said Dr Glasser. ?In the past two and half years only 15 countries, mostly in Asia, have reported cases of avian flu. This sudden increase is extremely worrying and may increase the risk of a deadly flu pandemic.?
CARE Australia has played a leading role in responding to avian flu in the Mekong region including an awareness campaign targeting communities, health and animal workers in Vietnam. Public service announcements on preventing avian flu created by CARE are now airing on television in Binh Dinh Province in Central Vietnam and Long An province in the Mekong Delta.
These announcements are expected to reach 1.5 million people ? approximately 60 per cent of the total population of both provinces.
?Not enough attention is being paid to fighting avian flu at its source,? said Dr Glasser. ?Little of the US$1.9 billion pledged at the China avian flu conference in January, to help developing countries strengthen health and veterinary services and boost surveillance measures, has actually materialised.?
?Without funds, developing countries will not be able to prepare a coordinated response to prevent the rapid spread of avian flu, increasing the risk of the avian flu strain mutating into a human pandemic that could have disastrous consequences for poor people living in developing countries,? said Dr Glasser.
For interviews with Dr Robert Glasser, Chief Executive of CARE Australia, please call Jessica Walker on 0419 567 777.