I must stress that it is still a suspected case at this stage and the experts are still investigating, |
I think this is a very strong message coming from the U.S. government, |
It is meant as a fire blanket to contain damage if we receive signals and evidence from the ground that we are moving into the beginning of a pandemic. |
My advice ... is that in selecting fish, perhaps at this juncture, it would be wise to select freshwater fish and other chilled fish from other parts of the world, |
My argument is, whatever resources you put in place, compared to the possible economic loss in the event of a pandemic, is peanuts. |
No one can say when this will end. |
So far there is no evidence for increased chance of human-to-human transmission, |
That was a time when we were really working together as an international community of academics, politicians, public health experts. Everybody really was so focused, |
There has been a meeting and discussions are still in progress. The talks have been taking place between the two sides here and in the United States. |
There is a high degree of support for voluntary compliance with the International Health Regulations. It will help countries to build capacity. |
They have agreed to donate another 2 million courses, that is 20 million doses, for use by affected countries who reported human cases to reduce morbidity and mortality and to delay the spread of the infection. |
Time is of the essence. We must act now if we are to have the maximum possible opportunity to contain a pandemic. |
Timing is unpredictable and the severity is uncertain. |
Until we see further evidence, we are still at Phase 3 of the pandemic alert, |
We are not in a pandemic situation. It is still an animal disease. |