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The Avian influenza,
otherwise known as the bird flu, is a world outbreak in the making. With
reports on 118 cases of Avian Influenza since 2003, the measures of
problematic nations must be addressed.
Recognizing Asian regions that have been most affected by the bird flu,
officials from East and Southeast Asia have taken precautions by
educating the public on undercooked poultry and destroying contagious
bird populations. However, the severity of Avian Influenza continues to
rise as strain A of this communicable disease rapidly mutates.
Singapore is concerned with
the movements of the Avian Influenza through Southeast Asian ports.
Supporting a free and multilateral trade system, Singapore’s imports are
especially in danger of carrying the bird flu into the nation.
Recent steps by Singapore’s
government to educate the nation on the dangers of the bird flu have
halted any attempts of outbreak in Singapore. An evacuation plan is also
in place to combat future complications with quarantines of ports and
affected land areas.
Since
November 22, 2005, the United States of America and Singapore have been
in agreement to work together to prevent influenza pandemics with the
emergence of the Regional Emerging Diseases Intervention (REDI) Center.
REDI refers to a past resolution with the U.S. and Singapore to
cooperate with preventing a SARS outbreak.
The
REDI center, along with the Governing Board and Scientific Advisory
Group, are working to accomplish an international system to respond to
outbreaks. Southeast Asian countries surrounding Singapore, such as
Indonesia and Vietnam, have agreed to receive advice on containing the
bird flu.
Singapore supports measures by the World Health Organization to address
a world pandemic. The WHO is also working to improve health care in
nations susceptible to the influenza. “This is crucial for the
prevention of any future global crisis associated with the emerging
animal diseases potentially transmittable to humans,” according to Dr.
Bernard Vallat, Director-General of the World Organization of Animal
Health at the WHO Avian Influenza Conference in Geneva.
As a
member of the United Nations, Singapore agrees to further Avian
Influenza progress by research, global system tracking of infection, and
education of the public on the dangers of this disease.
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