All of these have been in Asia. But it is important to note that it was not passed on to more humans. The chain ended at those four or five who caught it. |
As long as this disease exists anywhere that it's a threat everywhere, |
Bird flu is a disease among animals; it's very difficult for this virus to move from poultry into humans. Our concern is that it will change in a way that will allow it to easily move between humans, and that will trigger a pandemic. |
But the risk is pretty much the same as it has been, it is very low to humans, but we're worried about the transformation of the virus into a human pandemic strain. |
During SARS, we worked like hell to contain a global outbreak. Now we're trying to feel our way through this next generation of problems. |
From our point of view, Iraqi authorities have done a very good job in responding to the outbreak and have been very transparent about what is known about the human disease. |
H5N1 has pandemic potential but it is not a pandemic virus. |
I hope we are not creating a sense of panic... because we need the public's trust to encourage governments to begin or continue pandemic preparedness efforts. |
I think it's significant because it draws our attention to the fact that this is a very, very difficult disease to get for humans. |
I think this is exactly what countries should do. They should be transparent; they should report early. |
Iraq is a special case and has its unique challenges that are especially difficult, obviously because it is a complex environment. |
It is always worrying to have a new case in a new country because it raises concerns among the public. But we have to understand that so far this is just one case. |
It was not unexpected, ... There will be sporadic human cases as long as the virus is circulating in animals. |
It was not unexpected. There will be sporadic human cases as long as the virus is circulating in animals. |
Ninety percent of the cases that we know about in Hong Kong and Hanoi are hospital workers and the remaining cases are people who were in close contact with hospital workers, |