Plan to combat bird flu unveiled

UNITED NATIONS, July 6 (UPI) -- Vaccinations for birds and education programs for farmers are aspects of avian influenza control strategy, say experts at international conference in Malaysia.

The plan, hatched by three health-related agencies Wednesday at a conference in Kuala Lumpur, said fears of a pandemic, where the virus spreads from poultry to humans, led to the creation of a $150 million World Health Organization strategy for controlling the H5N1 virus, known as bird flu, which has infected 108 people and killed 54 since its outbreak in early 2004.

U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization Chief Veterinary Officer Joseph Domenech said, "Without international support, poor countries will not be able to battle bird flu."

The multi-point plan also earmarks funds to compensate or reward farmers for reporting suspected bird flu outbreaks.

Though the virus is not fully understood, Domenech said, "Another area of concern is wet markets, where animals are often slaughtered in unsanitary conditions. These activities constitute a high risk to people."