Q:
A:
Initiative for formation of coordinating body for implementation of bird flu action plan
Belgrade,
15 February 2006
Chairman of the Ministry of Health's Working group for implementation of the action plan before and during the bird flu pandemic Predrag Kon said that this group launched an initiative for the formation of a government's coordinating body that would meet in case of the need to increase the level of alertness.
Author:
Beta
Kon told the Tanjug news agency that the work of such a body would be linked to a possible transition to the fourth, fifth and sixth phase of the plan, when the assistance of the entire community, at all levels, would be necessary.
He explained that phase four entails the mutation of the H5N1 virus into a form transmitted among humans, phase five the appearance of a small epidemic, and phase six marks the beginning of a pandemic.
It was also proposed that members of the coordinating body provide expert assistance to the Working group in the preparation of guides for these three phases, because in the case of a pandemic, almost all ministries would have to be engaged, and not only the ministries of health and agriculture, Kon said.
Reiterating that for now the bird flu is still only a bird disease, Kon pointed out that it is now known whether the gene modification of the virus will be mild and insignificant, or dramatic. He added that the World Health Organisation sent recommendations to all countries to get prepared on time for the worst scenario.
He explained that phase four entails the mutation of the H5N1 virus into a form transmitted among humans, phase five the appearance of a small epidemic, and phase six marks the beginning of a pandemic.
It was also proposed that members of the coordinating body provide expert assistance to the Working group in the preparation of guides for these three phases, because in the case of a pandemic, almost all ministries would have to be engaged, and not only the ministries of health and agriculture, Kon said.
Reiterating that for now the bird flu is still only a bird disease, Kon pointed out that it is now known whether the gene modification of the virus will be mild and insignificant, or dramatic. He added that the World Health Organisation sent recommendations to all countries to get prepared on time for the worst scenario.
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