FAO Launches Rapid Response Center for Bird Flu

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<table style="direction: ltr;" border="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td>FAO Launches Rapid Response Center for Bird Flu</td></tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> By Joe De Capua
Washington
12 October 2006
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</td> </tr> </tbody></table> De Capua interview on bird flu mp3

De Capua interview on bird flu ra

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization has launched a rapid response center to deal with bird flu and other diseases. It?s called the Crisis Management Center, or CMC, which operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It operates in collaboration with the Paris-based World Organization for Animal Health.


Dr. Juan Lubrothis the senior officer for the FAO?s Animal Health Service. From Rome, he spoke to VOA English to Africa Service reporter Joe De Capua about the CMC.


?It?s not only to fight the highly pathogenic avian influenza, the bird flu, but also other trans-boundary animal diseases, or even the possibility of a plant disease or any sort of food security emergency. Of course, the most prominent problem today is bird flu,? he says.



The CMC, which he says acts as a think tank involving various experts, can respond to an outbreak between 24 and 72 hours. The timing of the response depends on local government cooperation.


As for the spread of bird flu over the past few years, Dr. Lubroth says, ?A few years ago, we had only the disease in Southeast Asia. Today we have it in other parts of the world and it has spilled over into Europe and Africa and the Middle East. And I think superficially you can say, well yes, geographically the disease has extended. But the number of deaths in the poultry sector or the number of humans, although still escalating, is not at the same rate as it was in 2003 or 2004. Some exceptions, yes. But I do think that there is a lid on the situation. That countries are much more aware.?


However, he says the necessary money and resources must be given to fight bird flu for at least the next 10 years.


Dr. Lubroth warns of the dangers of the H5N1 virus. ?We have never seen a highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses behave the way H5N1has. Usually, they?ve been limited to a national outbreak with rapid control. This particular virus, we have never seen such a virus gain such geographical ground over a time period. Yes, H5N1 is a new virus that we need to understand better.?




http://www.voanews.com/english/Africa/2006-10-12-voa38.cfm

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Re: FAO Launches Rapid Response Center for Bird Flu

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FAO launches disease crisis center

http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/avianflu/news/oct1206crisis.html



Oct 12, 2006 (CIDRAP News) ? To speed emergency responses to avian influenza and other animal and plant diseases, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) inaugurated a new crisis management center (CMC) at its Rome headquarters today.


The center, founded with the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), is supported by advanced communication technology and will operate around the clock, 7 days a week, the FAO said in a press release. The center is staffed by up to 15 specialists and veterinarians who will continuously update and monitor disease information.


If a suspected outbreak is reported, the crisis management center can dispatch experts anywhere in the world in less than 48 hours, the FAO said. The center can react quickly to emergencies involving plant pests or food safety, as well as diseases, officials said.


"The CMC represents a significant leap forward in FAO's ability to help member nations prevent and cope with disease outbreaks," said Dr Jacques Diouf, director-general of the FAO, in the press release.


Speed is of the essence in the international fight against avian flu, Diouf said. "Alert must be lighting quick. Reaction must be immediate in combating a disease, which can move across borders and continents terrifyingly fast."


The CMC is headed by Dr Karin Schwabenbauer, Germany's former chief veterinary officer. Dr Gary L. Brickler, from the US Department of Agriculture, is deputy director. Animal health emergency response will be handled by the FAO's chief veterinary officer, Dr Joseph Domenech, and the FAO's Emergency and Rehabilitation Division will handle the CMC's operational support.


The United States donated $5.1 million and three veterinarians to the CMC; other donors include Germany, France, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, Saudi Arabian, China, Greece, and Jordan.


Meanwhile, Thailand and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) launched a school-based campaign this week to protect children and their families from the spread of avian flu, according to a United Nations announcement yesterday.


Thailand has the third highest number of human H5N1 cases (25), and the disease has killed 17 people, including 11 children younger than 18.
The campaign covers all of the country's 40,000 elementary and secondary schools. The curriculum will help ensure that children understand what they can do to help prevent the spread of avian flu, such as washing their hands frequently and reporting sick or dead poultry.


Four million posters and pamphlets containing prevention and awareness messages will be distributed; elementary schools will receive 300,000 bars of soap. The campaign was produced by UNICEF and funded by Japan.


See also:
Oct 12 FAO press release
http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/news/2006/1000421/index.html


Oct 11 UN press release
http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=20215&Cr=bird&Cr1=flu


Jul 14, 2006, CIDRAP News story "USDA, FAO to launch animal disease crisis center"

 

[Niko]

Re: FAO Launches Rapid Response Center for Bird Flu

New Crisis Management Centre launched by FAO
Will speed response to AI and other threats

12 October 2006, Rome ? Dr Jacques Diouf, Director-General of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, today inaugurated a new FAO Crisis Management Centre (CMC) to fight Avian Influenza outbreaks and other major animal health or food health-related emergencies.

?The CMC represents a significant leap forward in FAO?s ability to help Member Nations prevent and cope with disease outbreaks,? Dr Diouf said. Set up in collaboration with the Paris-based World Organisation for Animal Health and located at FAO?s Rome headquarters, the Centre brings rapid-response capacity to transboundary animal and plant diseases, and can also react quickly to emergencies involving plant pests or food safety.

Supported by advanced communications technology, the Centre operates around the clock, seven days a week with a staff of up to 15 specialists and veterinarians. Disease information is monitored and updated from around the globe continuously. When a suspected outbreak is reported, CMC can dispatch its experts to any hot-spot in the world in under 48 hours.

Deadly menace

?Three years into the Avian Influenza crisis, FAO and the international community can draw some satisfaction, and some relief, in the progress made to contain a most deadly menace to the health of animals and humans across the globe,? Dr Diouf said.

Although the disease remains a potent threat in Indonesia and Africa, and Eastern Europe and the Caucasus are still vulnerable, elsewhere in the world the situation has improved, he noted.

?But despite the encouraging and very real progress made, it does not mean we can lower our guard,? Dr Diouf warned.

?Only when H5N1 has been totally eradicated will the Sword of Damocles, or more pessimistically the time-bomb, of a human pandemic be removed,? Dr Diouf added.

Terrifying speed

?One of the lessons FAO has learned in three years of leading the international fight against Avian Influenza is that speed is of the essence,? Dr Diouf declared. ?Alert must be lightning- quick. Reaction must be immediate in combating a disease which can move, across borders and continents, terrifyingly fast.?

The CMC is headed by Dr Karin Schwabenbauer, former Chief Veterinary Officer of the German Federal Republic. Her Deputy, Dr Gary L. Brickler, is seconded from USDA Veterinary Services.

Responses to animal health emergencies will be under the responsibility of FAO?s Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Joseph Domenech. Operational support to the CMC will be provided by FAO?s Emergency and Rehabilitation Division.

The United States has provided 5.1 million dollars and three veterinarians for the Centre. Other contributors include the Federal Republic of Germany, France, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, Saudi Arabia, China, Greece and Jordan.

Contact:
Christopher Matthews
Media Relations Officer, FAO,
christopher.matthews@fao.org
(+39) 06 570 53762

http://www.fao.org/newsroom/en/news/2006/1000421/index.html