Contributed by William Angelos| 01 November, 2004 14:22 GMT
Avian flu is showing signs of becoming a world pandemic, and governments need to act quickly to fend off the danger, health authorities are warning. The World Health Organization is calling a summit to address the mounting crisis, according to press reports.
Klaus Stoehr, a senior WHO official, has told reporters that governments, pharmaceutical companies and scientists need to work together to hurry the manufacture of an adequate supply of anti-flu vaccines. At present, there are only 300 million doses worldwide, he said.
The summit is being called for November 11 at WHO's headquarters in Geneva, according to press reports.
Facts on Avian Influenza
Excerpts from the WHO fact sheet on avian influenza:
"Avian influenza is an infectious disease of birds caused by type A strains of the influenza virus. The disease, which was first identified in Italy more than 100 years ago, occurs worldwide.
"All birds are thought to be susceptible to infection with avian influenza, though some species are more resistant to infection than others. Infection causes a wide spectrum of symptoms in birds, ranging from mild illness to a highly contagious and rapidly fatal disease resulting in severe epidemics. The latter is known as |
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