WASHINGTON, Oct. 5 (Xinhuanet) -- Health experts and officials from around the world will start meeting here Thursday to seek a coordinated response to a possible bird flu epidemic, the US Department of State said.
Participants from about 65 countries and international organizations will discuss at the two-day meeting the creation of a mechanism to share information and resources to fight a possiblehuman pandemic if the H5N1 avian flu virus mutates, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters.
The H5N1 bird flu virus has so far caused or forced destructionof tens of millions of birds, infected more than 100 people and killed at least 60 in four Asian nations since late 2003.
As humans have no immunity against the virus, millions could bekilled within months of a pandemic, experts say.
They added that scientists need to keep testing samples of the virus in order to predict when its mutated version acquires the ability to be easily transmissible among people.
To make this happen, all countries will have to share information without any delay and allow the immediate treatment ofpatients.
McCormack said participants of the meeting have agreed to principles of "transparency, in terms of quick and accurate reporting of any potential outbreaks."
The participants have also pledged to work closely with the World Health Organization and donor support for those countries that either have been affected or might be affected, said the spokesman.
The bird flu virus has already caused losses of 10 billion to 15 billion US dollars to the global poultry industry, with the heaviest losses in Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia. Enditem
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