Brussels, 20/06/2007 (Agence Europe) - On 14 June, the Committee of Permanent Representatives, Coreper, examined the progress report on EU efforts to combat bird flu and preparations for a possible flu pandemic. The report, sent by the German presidency to the ambassadors of the 27 member states of the European Union, takes stock of the last flu outbreak and highlights the need to maintain the current level of vigilance.
The first six months of 2007 may be considered very quiet both in terms of bird flu and seasonal flu, compared with the same period in 2006. Since the start of the year, only two outbreaks of the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of the bird flu virus have been recorded, in Hungary and in the United Kingdom in late January-early February. The less pathogenic H7N2 and H7N3 forms were found in Wales and Italy respectively at the end of May. In all cases, the disease was rapidly eradicated. In total, over 20,000 will birds were tested during the first three months of 2007, with no trace of bird flu found. The report, which notes the various measures put in place to combat bird flu, says that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is currently finalising scientific advice on preventive vaccination of animals, which could be used in some circumstances, but about which reservations have been expressed. Some experts fear that vaccinated poultry, displaying none of the symptoms of bird flu, could act as a store for the virus.
There has been no let up in preparing the response in the event of a flu pandemic and a further report will be presented to the Health Council in December 2007. This report will take account of the discussions of the 4th European workshop on pandemic flu, which will take place in Luxembourg from 25-28 September 2007. The Health Security Committee will continue to stress the interoperability of national plans; the development and acquisition of medicines; intersectoral cooperation; the implementation of national plans; and communication plans.
In 2006, there were outbreaks of bird flu in 53 countries. This has fallen to 20 countries since the start of 2007. Poultry in some developing countries, Indonesia, Egypt and Nigeria in particular, have become reservoirs for the virus. In 2007, 47 new human cases, 31 of which were fatal, were confirmed in Asia (Cambodia, China, Indonesia and Laos) and Africa (Egypt and Nigeria). Since 2003, the WHO has recorded 310 human cases of bird flu A/H5N1, 189 of which have been fatal. (oj)