GENEVA, March 8 (Xinhuanet) -- An operational plan to contain an initial outbreak of human pandemic influenza moved closer to finalform when public health experts concluded three days of discussionin Geneva on Wednesday.

    The meeting, participated by some 70 experts, was organized andhosted by the World Health Organization (WHO).

    "A human influenza pandemic will be a big problem, but by working together we can respond effectively," Dr. Margaret Chan, WHO assistant director-general for communicable diseases, was quoted as saying in a press release.

    The H5N1 virus is being closely monitored because, theoretically, it may mutate to become easily transmissible between humans. This would spark a human influenza pandemic and trigger the attempt at containment, the press release said.

    According to the press release, although containing a pandemic at its source has never been tried, evidence suggests that it may be possible.

    The first outbreak of the avian influenza virus H5N1 was contained in Hong Kong in 1997 when the then public health director Dr. Margaret Chan ordered the destruction of all poultry in Hong Kong.

    The containment of SARS in 2003 also demonstrated that coordinated global action could stop the emergence of a new infectious disease.

    Last summer, theoretical models were published showing that containment of a human influenza pandemic might be possible.

    The modeling papers indicated that containing a pandemic at itssource required coordinated action focused on a small area within days of the emergence of the new virus.

    Success, according to the modeling papers, would be dependent on many factors, including early detection of the new virus, swiftmobilization of resources, and compliance by the target population.

    Thus this week's Geneva meeting was focused on three areas: logistics, surveillance and public health measures needed to accomplish these goals.

    "It may be that containment efforts would only slow the spread of a pandemic," said Dr. Chan.

    "But even that will buy us time so that countries can begin activating their pandemic preparedness plans and companies can begin on the lengthy process of manufacturing an effective human pandemic vaccine," she said.

    The formal results of this week's meeting will be circulated for review by WHO members and posted on the web as soon as they are ready, the press release said. Enditem