Tuesday
Oct212008
UN's Dr. David Nabarro gives an update on preparedness for global Avian Influenza pandemic
Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at 1:30PM
The UN's Dr. David Nabarro, System-wide coordinator for the Human and Avian Influenza virus briefed reporters today on the latest progress report of United Nations partners in mitigating new cases. One-hundred and forty eight countries provided data for the joint report by the World Bank and the UN entitled: "Responses to Avian Influenza and State of Pandemic Readiness."
Countries high on the pandemic list include Bangladesh, China, Egypt, India and Indonesia. An estimated 70 million are expected to die should a severe global outbreak occur. A ministerial meeting is scheduled to take place in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt on October 24-26 to pursue further discussions with countries on improving their national preparedness plans.
Due to increasing global financial burdens, many officials worry that many plans for a pandemic may well fail once the illness starts to spread. The World Bank estimates the global economic cost of the pandemic could top $3 trillion dollars.
Dr. Nabarro works with UN partners to ensure there is a system-wide effort to support effective local, national, regional and global preparations for a potential human influenza pandemic - so as to reduce the human toll, as well as the economic and social disruption, that this pandemic could cause. He asked for more to be done to ensure that countries are ready for a major global crisis in the event of an influenza pandemic.
To date, 245 people have died of avian influenza. There were 28 confirmed deaths in 2008 compared to 59 in 2007. Several trends, including climate change and exponential growth in human and livestock populations and massive urbanization are believed to be the causes for increased cases of the illness.
UN General Briefing:
The UN Secretary-General is at Harvard's Kennedy school to speak about the global financial crisis. He will discuss exports and imports of global goods which he states endanger all countries-- rich or poor, and are highly contagious. He will also discuss global financial stability.
The Secretary-General also released his report on African Union troops in Darfur. The Security Council will take up the report for recommendations and review on Oct 28. The government and parties continue to approve a military solution but protection of civilians remains a big concern. The Secretary-General urged the government of Sudan and rebel groups to fully cooperate with peacekeepers. The Security Council is holding a meeting today on the peace-building commission. The Secretary-General also gave the latest update to General Assembly on the improvement of the status of women in the UN system. There was a strong recommendation to accelerate progress since women's employment has been marginal.
The Iraqi Edu channel was launched today to help boost educational programs for children suffering under war and conflict. Episodes will air 24 hours a day to help children meet urgent education needs.
Countries high on the pandemic list include Bangladesh, China, Egypt, India and Indonesia. An estimated 70 million are expected to die should a severe global outbreak occur. A ministerial meeting is scheduled to take place in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt on October 24-26 to pursue further discussions with countries on improving their national preparedness plans.
Due to increasing global financial burdens, many officials worry that many plans for a pandemic may well fail once the illness starts to spread. The World Bank estimates the global economic cost of the pandemic could top $3 trillion dollars.
Dr. Nabarro works with UN partners to ensure there is a system-wide effort to support effective local, national, regional and global preparations for a potential human influenza pandemic - so as to reduce the human toll, as well as the economic and social disruption, that this pandemic could cause. He asked for more to be done to ensure that countries are ready for a major global crisis in the event of an influenza pandemic.
To date, 245 people have died of avian influenza. There were 28 confirmed deaths in 2008 compared to 59 in 2007. Several trends, including climate change and exponential growth in human and livestock populations and massive urbanization are believed to be the causes for increased cases of the illness.
UN General Briefing:
The UN Secretary-General is at Harvard's Kennedy school to speak about the global financial crisis. He will discuss exports and imports of global goods which he states endanger all countries-- rich or poor, and are highly contagious. He will also discuss global financial stability.
The Secretary-General also released his report on African Union troops in Darfur. The Security Council will take up the report for recommendations and review on Oct 28. The government and parties continue to approve a military solution but protection of civilians remains a big concern. The Secretary-General urged the government of Sudan and rebel groups to fully cooperate with peacekeepers. The Security Council is holding a meeting today on the peace-building commission. The Secretary-General also gave the latest update to General Assembly on the improvement of the status of women in the UN system. There was a strong recommendation to accelerate progress since women's employment has been marginal.
The Iraqi Edu channel was launched today to help boost educational programs for children suffering under war and conflict. Episodes will air 24 hours a day to help children meet urgent education needs.
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