Author : Ledesma, Vivian Teresa M.

Summary : Asia’s poultry industry: Are we ready for bird flu? Not yet, if all indications regarding preparedness activities by national governments and international organizations are concerned. The World Health Organization reports that only 40 countries so far have come up with preparedness plans in the event an avian influenza pandemic happens.

But aside from the scare of a pandemic, a crucial issue at hand is disease control and prevention of spread at the poultry or bird level. What is being done to contain the disease? How can the jump from poultry to humans be prevented and/or contained? What are the economic implications to the countries now affected by avian influenza.