05/07/2005 (Agence Europe) - EU Member State experts in human and veterinary health, as well as representatives of the WHO, IOE and FAO, met on 28 June in Luxembourg to examine the response capacity of the various laboratories involved when there is a generalised outbreak of influenza. The work was aimed at better integrating the veterinary and human health approaches which are both part of the public health response. We recall that experts fear an epidemic of influenza in the near future as serious as the outbreak of Spanish flu in 1918-1919 which caused the death of nearly 60 million people. The human flu virus is directly linked to that of avian flu, mainly to be found in Asia. Major work is being carried out in the European Union to encourage Member States to improve their level of preparedness.
Session of the European Parliament