In an exclusive interview with MediaGlobal’s Nosh Nalavala, the United Nations System Influenza Coordinator, Dr. David Nabarro calls for a global strategy to combat avian influenza and highlights the role of the United Nations
MediaGlobal: What steps or strategies can be taken by the United Nations and its agencies to combat the spread of avian flu?
Dr. Nabarro: Regarding the control of avian influenza in animals, early virus detection and immediate interventions by veterinarians are of crucial importance. The virus is aggressive and spreads quickly among poultry. Farmers should therefore report any signs of disease symptoms. Unfortunately, in some cases countries have been late in reporting outbreaks that has contributed to the spread of the avian influenza virus. The avian flu is an international problem. Countries have to work together.
Q: Do you recommend any tangible strategies?
A: In outbreak areas, culling, the restriction of movements of people and goods, quarantine measures, the closing of markets and, if required, the targeted vaccination of chicken, are the appropriate control strategies suggested by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Organization for Animal Health. Each country has to decide about its own bird flu prevention and control strategy but there is also a need for a global strategy.
Q: What organizational problems do you anticipate? Is overlap and replication of services a serious concern amongst United Nations agencies?
A: It is my task to ensure the efficient coordination among United Nations agencies and to avoid any overlaps. The different mandates of United Nations agencies help to clarify responsibilities: WHO is dealing with human health issues, FAO and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) with veterinary plus veterinary public health aspects, other organizations such as UNICEF are involved in communication campaigns etc.
Q Can the private sector play any role at all in combating the onset of avian flu?
A: Commercial poultry industry and producers of veterinary pharmaceuticals and biologicals are vital partners. There is much scope for public-private partnership in disease control campaigns, in preventive measures, in adjustments of the poultry sub sector and in the strategic use of vaccines in a sustained manner in a wider area across all poultry units.
Q: How quickly can United Nations agencies realistically respond to new occurrences of avian flu?
A: In the case of avian flu outbreaks in animals, a rapid response is the key condition for the success of any control campaign. As soon as a country alerts the international community, the United Nations is ready to coordinate the dispatch of a team of experts to advise on control measures. The outcome of the Beijing pledging conference has given new impetus to the creation of an international expert pool, coordinated by FAO and OIE, for deployment in emergency situations.
Q: Earlier you referred to a ‘global strategy’. What role could the global media play?
A: The global media has played an important role in informing people about the risks of avian influenza. Unfortunately, new outbreaks often show that we are still facing serious information gaps and enormous communication challenges. For example, too many people are still getting infected because they don’t apply basic hygienic and precautionary measures. People in affected countries need to be better informed about how to avoid direct contact with infected poultry. Massive communication campaigns about basic precautionary measures (hand washing, disinfection etc.) are essential.
Q: Could you give specifics on how the media could help?
A: The general public in affected countries is also often concerned about food safety issues. Chicken consumption in many countries has dropped because people are afraid of becoming infected through eating poultry meat. The media should inform people about science-based food safety measures related to bird flu. Bird flu is not a food-borne disease, and it is safe to eat chicken if it is cooked at or above 70° Celsius throughout the product. Only chicken and chicken products from infected flocks should not enter the food chain. Bird flu is likely to stay with us for years. The media will be a key partner to prepare people for this challenge.
Q: Do you feel that vulnerable and poor countries in Africa and Asia are at greater risk to the flu than developed countries? If so, what precautions should they take?
A: Poor countries often do not have a strong veterinary infrastructure and well-equipped laboratory services – a main condition for the fight against avian flu at source in animals. It requires a centralized veterinary system and strong political and financial commitment to run national bird flu control campaigns. The United Nations is assisting poor countries in upgrading their laboratories and training veterinarians. Every country is at risk and every country should have a national control and prevention campaign.
Q: Last month the FAO reported that there was an outbreak of the flu in Nigeria and that the rest of Africa was in danger. Do you feel that a pandemic is in the offing?
A: The virus keeps spreading in Africa and FAO has warned of a regional bird flu disaster in West Africa. Increased virus circulation in areas where people and animals are living closely together is a matter of serious concern because these conditions could favour the development of a virus capable of human-to-human transmission.
Q: What is your immediate role in reassuring the world that nations can look to the United Nations for help in combating the bird flu?
A: The United Nations Secretary-General has asked me as UN System Influenza Coordinator to coordinate avian influenza activities of United Nations agencies, development banks, private sector initiatives, voluntary agencies and the donor community. Specific functions of my office include: providing a strategic framework for a collective response within and beyond the UN system; tracking progress of UN system and partner efforts to support national, regional and global influenza strategies; stimulating action to enhance UN system and partner efforts, to fill gaps, promote synergies and avoid duplication and propose appropriate changes in the deployment of global and regional resources; encourage consistent, accurate and regular communications; establish a consistent contingency planning approach across all UN agencies; create contingency plan for staff safety, in response to the pandemic.