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International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Briefing on Influenza with National Societies from Asia (China and Hong Kong, Nepal and India, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia and Timor Leste) 13:30 12 th November 2005. Your Attributes.
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International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent SocietiesBriefing on Influenza with National Societies from Asia(China and Hong Kong, Nepal and India, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia and Timor Leste) 13:30 12th November 2005
Your Attributes • Your are committed to prevent human suffering, to fight sickness, injustice and poverty • You emphasise mobilisation of communities as the key to achieving results • You attach enormous importance to being properly prepared • You want work in partnership with others • You are always ready to bring local experiences to the attention of leaders
Three Kinds of Influenza • Seasonal Influenza • An annual pattern • Usually mild, but can be serious – even fatal – in elderly • Routine vaccination available • Avian Influenza (“Bird Flu”) • Current epidemic of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Asia and entering Europe • Pandemic Influenza • Intermittent, Major morbidity and mortality, • Economic and social consequences
HPAI in Asia 10 countries affected, more than 140 million dead or killed birds
New areas affected New areas affected Original focus An alarming spread westwards
We MUST stamp out Avian Influenza at source…. • Targeted risk-based active surveillance • Stamping out • Biosecurity • Movement control
Global Spread a Reality Major Migratory Flyways Sources: AI outbreaks, OIE, FAO and Government Sources Flyways: Wetlands International
We MUST give priority to providing accurate information
The human population has demonstrated low immunity to the H5N1 strain with high mortality 2. Influenza viruses can be highly transmittable (e.g. airborne) 3. The H5N1 virus could change and become transmissible between humans Overview What is the “Bird Flu”? Why is it a threat to humans? • H5N1 is a new strain of the influenza virus present in birds 2. Outbreaks have occurred in poultry, migratory birds and other fowl across SE Asia, Europe and Russia 3. The “Bird Flu” has caused millions of poultry deaths, affected household economies & infected humans
? Prerequisites for a Human Influenza Pandemic • A novel influenza virus must emerge to which the general population has little or no immunity and for which there is no effective vaccine • The new virus must be able to replicate in humans and cause disease • The new virus must be efficiently transmitted from one human to another
Our discussion: A Regional Red Cross Approach • Must stamp out avian influenza (“bird flu”) caused by the Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Virus (surveillance, laboratory support, capacity to cull affected flocks, bio-security and trading changes, compensation for poultry owners, vaccination of birds, changes to agriculture) • Preparing for the pandemic without provoking panic: surveillance systems, guidelines for staff, containment, training exercises, personal protection for front line personnel • Community mobilisation: needing to work with communities to get them prepared – getting regional and provincial branches involved • Sharing of Epidemiological Information: ensuring that everyone knows what is happening when it happens (birds and humans)
A Regional Approach • Improve communications to different groups in society, ensuring consistent messages (fitted to local culture and language) on risks, and linking information with required action • Maintain excellent links with government as a “trusted partner”, stimulate joined up work by agriculture, health and other departments • Share the information and ground it within international standards, tied in to WHO (Delhi and Manila) and FAO (Bangkok) • Develop clear policies on the use of anti-viral medicines, other essential medicines and protective clothing and seek ways to ensure they are available
A Regional Approch • Vaccines: WHO and Governments need to be ready for the pandemic virus when it appears so that they can manufature the right vaccine as quickly as possible – remember that it can come in waves • Funds for poorer countries are vital and Red Cross needs to be able to have enough to do its part.