WHO taskforce meeting to fight avian flu

WHO task force on Bird flu up and running

The temporary task force meant to inform and advise the UN health agency about bird flu and possible pandemic influenza held its first meeting in Geneva last week.

The Influenza Pandemic Task Force (IPTF) will operate until the World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Health Regulations 2005 (IHR) come into force on 15 June 2007. Then an emergency committee will be created if and when needed to advise bigger catastrophes.

Dr Guenael Rodier, WHO Director responsible for IHR, said: "By bringing this group of experts together and ensuring that we have established effective means of working together… we can ensure that we are getting both the best advice for WHO and building a platform of shared knowledge.

"The Task Force is up and running. It will complement other technical partnerships and networks… and ensure that the IHR improve global health security," added Dr Mike Ryan, Director of WHO's Department for Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response.


Europaworld