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Skriven 2005-11-19 23:33:06 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (051119c) for Sat, 2005 Nov 19
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Fact Sheet: United States Leadership on Avian Influenza
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 19, 2005

Fact Sheet: United States Leadership on Avian Influenza


>If left unchallenged, this virus could become the first pandemic of the
21st century. We must not allow that to happen. Today I am announcing a new
International Partnership on Avian and Pandemic Influenza_We invite all
nations to participate. It is essential we work together, and as we do so,
we will fulfill a moral duty to protect our citizens, and heal the sick,
and comfort the afflicted._

President George W. Bush
September 14, 2005

TODAY'S PRESIDENTIAL ACTION:

APEC Initiative on Avian Influenza: President Bush came to the Asia-Pacific
Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting in Busan, Korea, to
encourage APEC Leaders to improve global readiness for the growing threat
of avian influenza, an animal disease that has the potential to turn into a
human influenza pandemic with devastating international health, economic,
and social consequences.

APEC Leaders endorsed the U.S. co-sponsored initiative on "Preparing for
and Mitigating an Influenza Pandemic" to ensure that the economies of the
region_working individually and collectively_can better prepare for,
prevent, and respond to a potential influenza pandemic. Leaders agreed to:
  þ Collaborate and cooperate in a transparent and open manner on
    surveillance, including the timely reporting of animal and human avian
    influenza cases and the timely sharing of epidemiological data,
    laboratory samples, and viral isolates;

  þ Respond rapidly to outbreaks to prevent or contain a pandemic;

  þ Enhance collective APEC work to strengthen regional capacity;

  þ Promote and conduct pandemic planning assessments;

  þ Develop protocols for the continuity of essential services, business,
    and trade;

  þ Support the International Partnership on Avian and Pandemic Influenza
    and efforts of the WHO, FAO, and OIE; and

  þ Strive for early implementation of revised WHO International Health
    Regulations.

BACKGROUND:

International, Regional, and Bilateral Leadership: President Bush
recognizes that the threat of avian and pandemic influenza must be
addressed comprehensively. The President has provided global leadership by
launching the International Partnership on Avian and Pandemic Influenza to
generate high-level political commitment and cooperation; created momentum
at the regional level by co-sponsoring an APEC Initiative that complements
Partnership goals and principles; and is pursuing bilateral initiatives
with partner nations. In addition, President Bush is leading by example by
issuing a comprehensive preparedness and response strategy, the National
Strategy for Pandemic Influenza, and by contributing funds and expertise to
build capacity to fight avian influenza internationally.

International Partnership on Avian and Pandemic Influenza: The President in
his September address to the UN announced this U.S. initiative to combat
avian influenza and improve global readiness for a potential pandemic. The
Partnership aims to elevate the issue on national agendas; coordinate
efforts among donor and affected nations; mobilize and leverage resources;
improve transparency and surveillance; develop preparedness plans; and
build local capacity to identify, contain, and respond to a pandemic
influenza. Senior Officials from 88 countries and nine international
organizations attended an implementation meeting for the Partnership in
Washington, D.C., on October 6 and 7, 2005. They agreed on three priority
areas for further action: building stockpiles of drugs and supplies;
speeding vaccine development and distribution; and implementing rapid
response and containment measures.

U.S. Leadership in Building Capacity: The President on May 11, 2005, signed
an emergency supplemental budget that allocates $25 million to prevent and
control the spread of avian flu in Southeast Asia. This funding has already
supported technical assistance and grants that the United States has
provided to affected countries in Southeast Asia and to the World Health
Organization for influenza pandemic preparedness in the past year. On
November 1, President Bush announced the National Strategy for Pandemic
Influenza, and requested emergency funding to begin immediately
implementing the strategy, which includes $251 million for international
efforts to enhance surveillance and response capabilities to detect and
contain outbreaks.

International Cooperation and Planning: Senior Bush Administration
officials from the Departments of Health and Human Services, State,
Agriculture, and the U.S. Agency for International Development, accompanied
by representatives of key international organizations, traveled to
Southeast Asia in October to promote a concerted, coordinated, and
effective response to the international challenge of combating avian
influenza. They underscored the U.S. commitment to engage on surveillance
and prevention; preparedness, planning and outreach; and response and
containment measures.

Bilateral Initiatives: Under the leadership of President Bush, the United
States is actively pursuing opportunities to collaborate with other
countries in the fight against avian influenza, most recently reaching
agreement with Indonesia and Singapore. The United States will partner with
Singapore and Indonesia to create a model project to control avian
influenza in Indonesia. The United States and China are also developing an
initiative to strengthen bilateral cooperation on this important issue.
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