SINGAPORE, Oct. 12 (Xinhuanet) -- US and WHO officials on Wednesday stressed the need of global cooperation in fighting against bird flu, which has killed in Asia some 50 people and millions of fowls.

    Speaking at a press briefing in the US Embassy here, US Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky said that countries need to work together again to face the latest avian fluthreat.

    "The threat is both real and formidable but we need to face it successfully. And to do so, we must face it together," said Dobriansky.

    She added that this includes the rapid sharing of samples for testing and information, as well as enhanced surveillance for a bird flu outbreak.

    The US official also stressed the importance of transparency inreporting bird flu cases.

    On the same occasion, Lee Jong-Wook, director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), said that over the past three years, they heard of the avian flu in Thailand, Vietnam and now Indonesia. Then it went to Romania, Russia and Kazakhstan. They all saw these tell-tale signs and have been working on it, but now they need concrete actions.

    Both Lee and Dobriansky said that the commitment of nations is an important factor in ensuring that the disease is effectively contained.

    The US and world health officials are visiting the region to address the needs of countries in fighting the bird flu virus. Enditem