Bird flu vaccine campaign urged

Culling is the first-line defence against avian flu

Mass vaccination of poultry should be considered to cut the chance of avian flu spreading to humans, say experts.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization, meeting in Rome, said vaccination could be used in tandem with culling to tackle the disease.

So far, 16 people have died in Asia after contracting the infection, and approximately 50 million birds killed in efforts to contain it.

Culling outside affected areas could be avoided by use of vaccines, it said.

FAO director general Jacques Diouf said that all efforts were directed at preventing the bird flu from spreading geographically and to other animal species.

He said: "The epidemic has not been brought under control and we need an urgent response.

The epidemic has not been brought under control and we need an urgent response Jacques Diouf, UNFAO

"We ask that all countries take precautionary measures, to strengthen their veterinary services and keep in touch with the concerned international organisations."

A statement from the UNFAO said: "A targeted vaccination campaign for poultry at risk of being infected by the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus may be required in heavily affected countries to control the further spread of the epidemic.

"Vaccinating animals could be one method, along with culling and other priority measures to contain the spread of the virus."

The organisation urged Asian countries to improve cooperation, boost hygiene measures and send in early reports when faced with outbreaks of the virus.

There were complaints at the meeting that some countries were too slow in notifying their neighbours when bird flu was detected.

Virus fears

Efforts so far to halt the spread of the virus among birds have been unsuccessful.

There are fears that changes to the virus might make it far more contagious to humans - or allow human to human transmission.

At the moment, culls are ongoing in Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Pakistan, China and Taiwan.

The UN Food and Agriculture agency has announced an emergency aid package of more than $1.5m for Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Pakistan to help them step up their disease control and surveillance systems.