News Release

October 25, 2005
For immediate release

Ottawa meeting an important step in global preparation for a possible pandemic

OTTAWA - Health ministers and delegates from 30 countries and nine international organizations from all parts of the world called today for accelerated efforts to prepare for a possible influenza pandemic.

They cautioned against confusion between normal seasonal influenza, the current outbreak of avian (bird) flu in some regions, and a possible human pandemic.

But they said it is essential to monitor the bird flu situation more closely and step up work to prevent and counter a human influenza pandemic.

"We recognize that we are all in this together and what affects one country can ultimately affect us all," said Health Minister Ujjal Dosanjh, who chaired the meeting.

"We have been guided by two over-riding principles: First, everyone agrees it is critical that countries urgently and proactively share information if and when an infectious outbreak occurs. Second, we must continue to support the leading role of multilateral institutions such as the United Nations."

Some of the key recommendations include:

• increased research on avian influenza viruses, including their ability to spread from animals to humans;
• increased capacity for early detection, diagnosis and response, and for the exchange of information between the agriculture and health sectors at the local, national and international levels;
• expansion and integration of the network of relevant WHO collaborating centres and FAO-OIE reference laboratories, for the rapid identification of virus strains;
• development of bio-security guidelines for the poultry sector to help farming communities ensure appropriate animal and public health standards for the raising, handling and transporting of potentially flu-bearing animals;
• development of effective partnerships with media and other key stakeholders for the exchange and dissemination of information.

They also agreed to work collaboratively to advance research and development and increase production capacity and supply to ensure equitable access to vaccines and antivirals worldwide.

In addition, they recognized the value of a meeting of national and other drug-regulating authorities to develop a framework to address common regulatory challenges to expedite vaccine registration and availability.

Ministers recognized the need to build capacity and plan in all countries, facilitated by appropriate national and international investments and resource sharing. They welcomed the upcoming WHO/FAO/OIE/World Bank meeting on Avian and Pandemic Influenza (Geneva, November 7-9 2005), where these issues will be discussed.

Ministers viewed the Ottawa meeting as an important step towards securing long-term, sustained political and institutional engagement to address global pandemic influenza preparedness.

For full details, consult the official conference communiqué.

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