Representatives of the ten Asean Member Countries plus China, Japan and South Korea are meeting in Bangkok for a two day conference to discuss and implement a overall regional plan to fight swine flu, the deadly deadly influenza also known as H1N1 virus.
More than 2,000 people in 23 countries worldwide have now been infected with H1N1 flu, according to World Health Organization (WHO) as of May 7, 2009. The U.N. agency said, 42 people in Mexico have died from this new strain of flu. South Korea and Hong Kong are the only Asian locations with confirmed cases of this flu, no deaths in Asia have been reported.
The ministers are discussing measures including short term actions to contain the disease within the countries where people reportedly got the infection, said Dr Supamit Chunsuttiwat, a Thai Public Health Ministry Member.
One main recommendation for the group is increasing the regional stockpiles of antiviral medicine and personal protective equipment. The largest supply of anti-viral medication is located in Singapore. It is estimated that Tamiflu stockpiles to treat 500,000 people are within Singapore. All member countries will be increasing their own supplies of medication over the next few weeks. With the gaol of having enough stockpiled to treat one million people.
A statement was released calling on member states to “immediately activate the implementation of national pandemic preparedness” and to intensify surveillance of humans and animal and effective responses.
Thailand’s Permanent Secretary for Health Prat Boonyawongvirot told delegates, “In a more global and interconnected world, an outbreak of an emerging infectious disease is immensely swift. To deal with it requires strong cooperative efforts”.
The good news for SE Asia is that the member countries are well prepared and are considered among the world’s most prepared because of their experience responding to the SARS outbreak in 2003 and then bird flu.
As this is the first International meeting within Thailand since the failed Asean Summit last month. Hundreds of police and troops in riot gear surround the Dusit Thani hotel meeting site. Officials do not want a repeat of last month’s meeting of Asian leaders which was broken up by anti-government demonstrators. No protesters were in sight Thursday, so the meeting continued without any similar problems.
Tourism is very important to the region and the effects of this flu is a important factor affecting travel to the region. While WHO has not recommend travel restrictions, travel around the world and in Asia is down.
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The Health ministers meeting in Bangkok have agreed on five measures to control the spread of the deadly A(H1N1) influenza virus, according to Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai.
The measures include the following:
a) exchange of information concerning the influenza A outbreak.
b) forming regional mobile units to inspect possible influenza A infction along their borders.
c) cooperation in laboratory virus testing.
d) passengers who travel from areas where the flu has been detected will be screened to reduce negative effects on trade and the economy.
e) joint studies of the virus to assist the development of a public health system and to handle any future outbreak in the region.
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