HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, Feb. 25 (Xinhuanet) -- Leading veterinary experts of 28 countries and regions here Friday wrapped up their technical discussions over avian influenza control in Asia, recommending several strategies to minimize the risk of virus transmission among animal species and to therefore protect humans.

    Up to 150 chief veterinary officers from the region, national expert scientists, representatives from international and regional organizations, international experts working in close collaboration with infected countries in the region gathered here for the Second FAO/OIE Regional Meeting on Avian Influenza Controlin Asia which closed here Friday.

    They agreed that one year after the bird flu crisis, progress has been made in the early detection of and rapid response to the disease, which has contributed to the fact that there are less outbreaks in the region today than were recorded one year ago.

    However, the virus is still circulating among poultry, ducks and wildlife in the region and continues to pose a serious threat to human health and animals.

    The strategies include segregation in farm settings of chickens, ducks and other animals such as pigs and a reduction in contact between these animals and humans.

    Delegates called upon the global community to help finance those costly but vital changes. More than 100 million US dollars would be needed to urgently strengthen animal health services and laboratories to improve virus detection and its ultimate eradication.

    The meeting agreed that vaccines can be a strong weapon in the fight against the disease in poultry. And the possibility of vaccinating ducks should be explored.

    However, the conference acknowledged the need to further study conditions in which vaccines can be delivered with minimum risk to human health.

    It stressed that, as the bird flu virus does not respect borders and needs a strong regional response, existing regional cooperation networks recently established by FAO should be extended. Without proper funding, these networks will cease their activities within next six months.

    Countries are urged to report occurrences to the disease to the OIE in a timely and transparent manner. They are also urged to share information on disease outbreaks and campaigns with neighboring countries.

    They agreed that bird flu control campaigns (virus detection, culling, biosecurity and vaccination) should respect social, economic and cultural conditions in each affected country.

    The three-day meeting was jointly organized by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the government of Vietnam. Enditem