WHO says Asia must prepare to control a bird flu pandemic

Asia must do more to prepare for quick action in case a pandemic flu strain erupts because every moment will count at the onset and rapid response will be crucial, the World Health Organisation said today.

“The timeliness is key to detect and report the early signs of a potential pandemic,” Dr. Hitoshi Oshitani, a communicable disease control and response consultant for WHO, said at a two-day conference in Japan.