Manila: India responded responsibly in addressing the crisis that followed the avian flu outbreak in parts of the country, said Jacques Jeugmans, Principal Health Specialist of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and member of the bank's Avian Influenza Task Force.

Besides taking immediate action by culling birds, the country was also exemplary in providing compensation to those put out of business, Mr. Jeugmans said, adding that the Government should continue to maintain transparency in revealing outbreaks, address livelihood issues of farmers and maintain strict quality control over drugs, vaccines and culling procedures.

Bird sanctuaries

While it was recommended that all bird sanctuaries in a country where avian flu outbreak was reported be shut down, the decision ultimately rested with the government concerned. Governments should also be well informed about the procedures to report, cull and vaccinate.

Mr. Jeugmans said: "Until India, we thought the flu affected only small back yard farms. In India, even industrial farms fell prey." Hence, the Government should think up safety nets not only for the owners, but also labourers. Over $14 million of the $38-million grant announced by the ADB in mid March was an emergency fund. Member-countries could use them for urgent needs. "It could be used for culling, stock piling vaccines or buying protective gear for personnel on the field," Mr. Jeugmans told a couple of Indian journalists recently in the Philippines.

And in case the human pandemic were to start, resources could be drawn from this fund to supply masks and respiratory equipment. While India had not yet accessed loans from this pool of resources, requests could be made to the ADB any time.

The project was part of a $470 million pledge to fight avian flu, reduce and control its spread among poultry and increase the region's preparedness for a potential human influenza pandemic. "The project will enable each country to draw on the expertise and experience of others, pool resources, and respond more effectively to outbreaks, while addressing the significant gap in funding to improve readiness for a pandemic," Indu Bhushan, Chair of the Task Force on Avian Influenza, said.

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