GENEVA, March 18 (Xinhuanet) -- The World Health Organization (WHO)said Thursday a three-day consultation on influenza pandemic preparedness helps countries take the right precautions as health experts worldwide concluded the gathering.

    "Your conclusions and recommendations will help countries around the world make decisions that protect their populations," WHO Director-General Lee Jong-wook told the 100-plus health experts who have gathered in Geneva to assess the current situation and to analyze possible public health interventions before and during an influenza pandemic.

    "If we face a pandemic, and when we face a pandemic, countries will look to WHO for guidance. Your dedicated work over the past days helps us be sure that the advice we give is as sound, appropriate, and effective as possible," Lee said.

    The consultation on priority public health interventions beforeand during an influenza pandemic has been focused on four key issues -- surveillance, public health interventions, antivirals, and vaccines.

    As to the first two issues, Lee said: "We now have a much better list of the many factors, the many pros and cons, that eachgovernment will have to consider when making very difficult decisions, with potentially sweeping consequences."

    However, as to supplies of vaccines and antivirals, Lee said: "We are certain we will face shortages of vaccines and drugs at thestart of a pandemic and perhaps for several months to come."

    "Most countries will have no supplies of vaccines and drugs to distribute. Elsewhere, national authorities will face difficult decisions about which groups should have first call on limited supplies," he said.

    While describing the proposal for international stockpiling of vaccines and antivirals as "an interesting one," Lee told the experts that WHO will further explore its feasibility. Enditem