EU health chief on bird flu mission

The European Union’s Health Commissioner will travel to Southeast Asia next week for talks about efforts to contain a deadly strain of bird flu that recently spread to Europe from Asia.

Markos Kyprianou will visit Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and Indonesia during a 10-day trip starting on November 6. The commissioner will discuss the measures being taken in each country to contain the spread of the H5N1 strain of the virus.

“The EU recognises that, no matter where it strikes, avian influenza is a global problem that calls for a co-ordinated global response. We will do everything we can to help the countries of South East Asia,” Kyprianou said.

Since 2003, bird flu has been endemic in both wild birds and poultry in parts of Asia, where it has led to the deaths of more than 60 people and has decimated poultry flocks. The deadly strain has recently been discovered in Turkey, Romania and Russia.

AIDS, food safety and sanitary issues in the countries will also be discussed during the visit, Kyprianou said.