Manmohan seeks more funds to combat avian flu

The US has committed to increasing funds to fight avian influenza. Currently, it has given $434 million and India is expected to receive a substantial amount as well.
Over 60 per cent of diseases that have emerged in the last decade can be traced to animals. Avian influenza is linked to poultry, foot and mouth disease to cattle, Ebola fever to monkeys and African swine to pigs.
Yet few countries invest in animal health. Even though avian flu has now affected 61 countries, killing hundreds of people and crippling the poultry industry, there has been little investment in improving infrastructure.
In fact, the threat of a massive human pandemic is larger than before since the global movement of poultry and cattle is on the rise, facilitating the movement of viruses.
''We need to take bio-security measures in poultry, right from the backyard to the point of export, to the production lines,'' said Jacques Diouf, Director General, Food & Agricultural Organisation.

Recognising that animal and human health are now inevitably linked, countries like Thailand and now India have for the first time brought the two departments closer - for better surveillance and response to outbreaks.

''Nature has given us this unexpected chance in preparedness,'' said Dr Margaret Chan, Director General, World Health Organisation.

Avian influenza has not only taken lives but also caused enormous economic losses. Poultry industry in India is believed to have lost over $2 billion in the 2006 outbreak in Maharashtra.

Recognising animal diseases as one of the biggest threats to global health and business, the heads of FAO, WHO, OIE and donor agencies like the World Bank have come together with 105 nations to find out ways to improve the animal health sector.

Courtesy:ndtv.com
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