Experts to continue monitoring threat of avian influenza outbreak in Europe
Meeting in Brussels on 25 August, scientists and veterinary experts admitted that it is currently not possible to establish if, and to what extent, avian influenza is likely to spread from Asia to Europe. Concerns have been raised that migratory birds could carry the disease into the European Union, and governments are now reviewing their contingency plans for dealing with a potential outbreak. In the Netherlands, all poultry is to be kept indoors or in protected enclosures for the foreseeable future. 'We clearly want to do our utmost to prevent the spread of this devastating epidemic to the EU. We will continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure that the most appropriate risk-reducing measures are in place,' said Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner Markos Kyprianou. A major concern is that the avian flu virus could mutate and spread to other animals and to humans. In South East Asia, around 50 people have died from the disease since the current outbreak began. As yet, no cases of human-to-human transmission have been recorded. Scientists are monitoring the situation, and the adequate and timely supply of vaccines and anti-viral drugs is part of the EU preparedness and response plan dealing with the disease. The main message from the Brussels meeting was however one of surveillance. The Commission asked Member States to step up monitoring, and will make financing available in order to facilitate this. Surveillance activities should include sampling migratory waterfowl along flyways, introducing awareness programmes aimed at farmers, and ensuring the application of existing controls at the external borders of the EU. In terms of research, the EU has already allocated 6.5 million euro to a number of projects researching different aspects of avian influenza. These include the development of new vaccines, studies on the transmission of the disease among bird populations and to humans, and improved methods for diagnosis. A number of projects developing new technologies to combat a pandemic of influenza in the human population are also receiving funding.