This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service - if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read the FAQ at http://ift.tt/jcXqJW.
Monday 02 Mar 2015 - 12:29 Makkah mean time-11-5-1436  World Health Organization warns of nasty global flu surprises (Google image) Geneva, (IINA) - The world remains highly vulnerable to a possible severe flu pandemic and governments should increase surveillance, vigilance and preparedness, news agencies reported quoting the World Health Organization (WHO) sources.
"Nothing about influenza is predictable - including where the next pandemic might emerge and which virus might be responsible," the United Nations health agency warned.
In a seven-page report on flu, WHO said that on many levels, the world is better prepared now than ever before for a flu pandemic. The level of alert is high, it said, and there is better surveillance of flu viruses in both animals and humans.
Under the heading "Warning: Be prepared for surprises", WHO praised progress in virological research that had increased capability to detect, understand and assess new viruses for pandemic risk, and to track their international spread. But it said this needed to be stepped up.
"More (research and development) is needed to develop better vaccines and shorten the production time," it said, adding that during a severe pandemic, many people would die in the three to four months currently needed to make effective vaccines.
In 2014, the WHO's Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System, made up of 142 laboratories in 112 countries, tested more than 1.9 million clinical specimens.
"By keeping a close watch over the volatile world of influenza viruses, these laboratories operate as a sensitive early warning system."
WHO also noted the sudden increase in human cases of H5N1 bird flu in Egypt, which it said had "awakened concern".
WHO data show Egypt reporting 108 cases of H5N1 in people from start of November 2014 to 23 February, including 35 deaths.
SM/IINA
|
No comments:
Post a Comment