International Institutions Take Action to Address Avian Influenza Concerns

On November 9, 2006, Margaret Chan was elected as the director-general of the World Health Organization. Prior to her selection, Dr. Chan served as Assistant Director-General for Communicable Diseases and Representative of the Director-General for Pandemic Influenza at the WHO and was Hong Kong’s director of public health during outbreaks of avian influenza and SARS, where she was instrumental in preventing potentially disastrous epidemics.

Dr. Chan’s selection as the top official in the WHO is one of many recent actions that international institutions and the United States have taken as preventing the global spread of avian influenza, a disease caused by a strain of the virus H5N1, has become a major global health concern. On September 26, the United Nations’ Influenza Pandemic Task Force held its first meeting in Geneva. The organization will have an advisory role to the WHO Global Influenza Program until June 15, 2007, when WHO launches its own committee. Its goal is to control the potential influenza pandemic that could result if the avian flu becomes transmittable between humans.

The World Health Organization has recently estimated that an additional $90 to $100 billion is needed to prevent an epidemic. Already, the World Bank has distributed $115 million between 11 countries, including a recent $15 million donation to Indonesia.

On October 23, the WHO released an action plan to produce and distribute supplies of vaccine for pandemic influenza. The short-term aim is to produce doses of the vaccine adequate to prevent a pandemic. Another goal is to develop vaccines that create long-term immunity to pandemic influenza viruses. The long-term goal of the initiative is to vaccinate the entire global population. The organization plans to assess current influenza conditions and develop immunization programs tailored each nation based upon their needs, such as assisting with data management or health infrastructure.


Updated November 17, 2006