World Health Organization feels that Asia is facing an increased threat of bird flu as new cases of bird flu infections pour in. Dr. Shigeru Omi, Regional Director, WHO Western Pacific has said though Asian countries are planning and working to combat bird flu spread but feels that still a lot should have been done and should be done to prevent bird flu spread. It is estimated that 77 deaths has occurred due to bird flu infection in East Asia since the re-emergence of the virus.
Vietnam has recently faced the threat of bird flu causing four deaths and earlier planning and vaccination for poultry last year in Vietnam would have not led to so much infection and poultry loss in Vietnam. An estimated 120 million birds were vaccinated this year and more than 4 million birds were slaughtered to prevent spread of bird flu in Vietnam.The World Bank during the two day International conference on bird flu donors in Beijing has urged the European Union and rich countries to fund generously to fight bird flu as it is estimated that more than $ 1.5 billion is required to fight bird flu.
