President of Ukraine and UN Senior Coordinator on Avian and Human Influenza Discussed the Fights on Avian Influenza

Today the UN System Senior Coordinator for Avian and Human Influenza Dr. David NABARRO met with the President of Ukraine Viktor YUSHCHENKO to discuss the threat of Avian Influenza (AI) pandemic in the country.

During this first-hand briefing, Dr. NABARRO highly appreciated the action of the Ukrainian government on localization and prevention of avian influenza spreading in Ukraine. “Ukraine’s response to avian influenza outbreak is exemplarary one”, Dr. Nabarro stated, “among the key factors contributing to this success were timeliness and speed, proper interaction with the local communities, and attractive mechanisms to compensate losses of poultry to population.”

Dr. NABARRO emphasized that in order to continue addressing avian influenza successfully in future, Ukraine needs to improve quality of health services and bio security, to ensure that public gets sufficient and adequate information. Besides, health and veterinarian services should be fully prepared to react quickly in possible avian influenza outbreaks in spring and autumn.

He also sees that one of the important roles that Ukraine can play internationally is setting an example to the whole region and the world in fighting the disease.

The President of Ukraine Viktor YUSHCHENKO extended a request for international assistance in improving the laboratory and diagnosis systems, in ensuring the sufficient quantity of seasonal flu vaccine and in developing an international pilot project in Ukraine that would comprehensively address the avian influenza issue. Dr. NABARRO promised to consider seriously this request particularly with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), World Health Organisation (WHO), Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), other UN agencies and governments.

Dr.NABARRO welcomed the idea of establishing a permanent institution that would coordinate and substantially support further work on AI and pandemic preparedness and added that it would be an example of best international practice.

Also, Dr. NABARRO informed the President of Ukraine Viktor YUSHCHENKO on avian influenza and the pandemic preparedness situation in the world, particularly in Africa and suggested that Ukrainian specialists could aid in fighting the infection globally.

Later on Dr. NABARRO met with the senior officials of the Ukrainian government, visited the Central State Veterinary Laboratory, the Central Sanitory-Epidemiological Station and met the members of the donor community and international development organizations active in Ukraine in addressing Avian Influenza.

On 15 February 2006 Dr. NABARRO will lead the Sub-regional consultation on avian influenza for the representatives of the UN Country Team in Central and Eastern Europe and Southern Balkans and the Caucasus, which is important to strengthen regional cooperation and coordination in addressing avian influenza.