Nabarro Briefing on Avian Influenza Urges Global Cooperation

November 14, 2005 -- Last week, Dr. David Nabarro, Senior United Nations System Coordinator for Avian and Human Influenza, warned about the possibilities of a human pandemic and offered advice on how to make appropriate preparations.  Global cooperation, he suggested, is a crucial part of preparedness and prevention.  In an interconnected and fragile world, human pandemics can have drastic impacts, but because of this global interdependency, we also have the tools to prevent and respond to crises like this.  Dr. Nabarro likened avian influenza to a forest fire; it is easier and less costly to expunge in the early stages.  UN organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), have contributed resources and assistance in handling this veritable threat.

While there are challenges to preparing for an uncertain future as well as addressing the present reality, collaboration and communication on several levels remain the key to combating avian influenza; the H5N1 strand has killed 67 people since 2003.  The UN is the one body that is specialized in effectively managing these types of crises.  Currently the UN Environment Program (UNEP) is setting up an early warning system, which would alert countries of the presence of migratory birds that could be infected with avian influenza.  Out of the recent UN-sponsored conference, officials from WHO, FAO, OIE, and the World Bank agreed on a strategy, including the following:

•  Surveillance: an early response system

•  Controlling at the source: culling and vaccinations

•  Containment

•  Integrating country plans

•  Preparedness for possible pandemic

•  Transparency and communications

Dr. Nabarro emphasized that this is a unique opportunity for multilateralism, and by sharing resources and information we can “avoid duplication.”  The United Nations is specialized in coordinating efforts to contain and prepare for health threats; supporting its efforts now is less costly than trying to “patch up” an unpredictable future.