Mizzima News

Chiang Mai - Health Ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), China, Japan and South Korea on Friday agreed to cooperate in fighting swine flu and will propose to WHO to ensure equal access to vaccines, during a regional conference in Bangkok.

The health ministers from Asean and its regional partners on Friday said they would cooperate in the outbreak of the new influenza 2009 by reaffirming four measures to tackle the imminent health threat. It urged the World Health Organization (WHO) to facilitate virus sample distribution and technology transfers.

The leaders are committed to implement the national pandemic preparedness plan focus on surveillance, effective response and risk communications for the public to reduce the spread of the disease and mitigate the adverse impact on individuals, societies, and the region.

In addition, the group agreed to share information, technology, resources, laboratory facilities, stockpile essential medicines and supplies, according to a statement from the summit on Friday.

Dr. Francisco T. Duque III, Health Secretary of the Philippines and chair of the summit said, “We would like to assure everyone that each ASEAN+3 member states has been vigilant in monitoring and addressing this threat. Each state is likewise continuously building capacities to prevent the entry of Influenza A (H1N1) in the ASEAN+3 region.  The region is prepared more than ever to face and address Influenza A.”

Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, ASEAN Secretary-General said he admired the group’s strong political will, effort and actions taken by individuals and wished to witness the full extent of logistical drill to ensure effective and timely deployment and stockpile medicines and medical equipment.

The health ministers said that the surveillance system of international travels has to be conducted by minimizing impacts on economy and the tourism industry. Travelers with flu symptoms will be advised to delay their itinerary and acquire standard medical attention, the statement added.

On Thursday, Thai Public Health Minister Witthaya Keawparadai told reporters after the bilateral meeting with Chinese Public Health Minister H.E. Chen Zhu that he and his counterpart discussed the Chinese preparation for antiviral drugs for Influenza A. China is reputed to be a major power with immense potential to undergo large-scale production of antiviral medicines.

Keawparadai added that China is prepared for the outbreak, especially because the second-wave propagation could be more severe. If there is a major outbreak in ASEAN countries, Mr. Zhu assured that China is willing to mobilize its support in terms of antiviral medicines as well as vaccine development for every ASEAN member which hosts more than 500 million people. So far, no confirmed cases have been reported in the 10 ASEAN countries. There has, however, been one case in South Korea.

According to a report in Bangkok Post on Thursday, Burma is the only Asean country that did not participate in the health minister’s summit. Burmese ambassador to Thailand Aung Thein had instead accepted an invitation to the meeting, Thailand’s deputy permanent secretary for public health Siriporn Kanchana said.

Naypyitaw did not give a reason for not sending its minister.