Asean+3 in flu fight

ASEAN+3 Health Ministers at a special meeting on Influenza A (H1N1) in Bangkok, Thailand. -- PHOTO: AP

The Strait Times
http://www.straitstimes.com

May 9, 2009

They will boost anti-flu medicine stockpiles and intensify surveillance

By Nirmal Ghosh, Thailand Correspondent

BANGKOK: - Health ministers from 10 Asean countries and China, Japan and Korea yesterday concluded a key meeting with a pledge of regional solidarity and cooperation in the face of the H1N1 influenza pandemic threat.
The virus has not yet been recorded in Asean and Japan.

But its spread in North America and beyond has drawn predictions that it could infect up to one-third of the world's population within months, severely burdening public health systems.

In less than three weeks, it has spread to 25 countries, infecting 2,483 people and leaving 47 dead.

South Korea has detected three cases, and Hong Kong has detected one.

'No single country is able to control and cope with the threat alone. Rather, intensive international cooperation is required,' Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said in opening remarks at the conference yesterday.

The ministers said in a statement that stockpiles of anti-flu medication would be enhanced, national pandemic preparedness plans implemented and surveillance intensified.

They also stressed the importance of transparency in public communication.

Japan announced that it would donate 500,000 doses of anti-viral medicine, plus 750,000 sets of personal protection equipment, to Asean's existing stockpile, to be shared across the region as necessary should the virus arrive and spread.

The ministers said they would consider 'exit screening' as a cross-border disease control strategy.