Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides Service) - The United Nations World Health Organisation WHO warns that avian or bird flu is a major threat for the world. The disease present in south east Asia.
WHo says contagion in Asia is difficult to control or reduce. If contagion were to affect migratory birds the effect would be devastating and could cause a pandemic. The next epidemic of inflenza could kill between 2 and 7 million people.
Bird flu has killed 55 people in various countries of Asia and new outbreaks have been reported in Thailand, despite a massive campaign to eradicate the disease. Infected poultry was found in five towns in three districts of the province of Suphanburi 100km north of Bangkok and international monitoring bodies warn that virus H5N1 is very difficult to eliminate.
Already 12 people in Thailand have died of avian flu, although since October 2004 no new cases have been registered. In Vietnam 19 people have died since last December and this brings the total number of people in this country who died of avian flu to 39. In Cambodia four people died. A new outbreak has been reported in a farm in eastern Japan. The outbreak, the second after one reported on June 26 was registered at Ibaraki but fortunately the virus in question is the less violent form H5N2. To face further outbreaks and prevent the spread of the virus WHO has issued a healthcare statement which has already been adopted by 50 countries including Italy. Given the danger that the two viruses may merge and that the next threat of diffusion may coincide with the wave of seasonal influenza researchers continue to update vaccines. (AP) (15/7/2005 Agenzia Fides; Righe:28; Parole:368)
