Avian Flu: What’s Missing From the White House Plan

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/ — An analysis released today of the White House’s Avian Flu Plan argues the plan offers far too little help to countries so they can respond to an outbreak before it reaches the US. It warns that unless the plan is broadened, America will not be safe and its moral credibility could be damaged.

Global AIDS Alliance based the analysis on its experience in tracking the response to HIV/AIDS. The briefing is online at:

http://www.globalaidsalliance.org/briefing_avian_flu_plan.cfm

The White House strategy for responding to the threat of Avian Flu states that: “The most effective way to protect the American population is to contain an outbreak beyond the borders of the U.S.” Yet, less than 4% of the funding in the proposal would go towards accomplishing this essential task.

Much of the President’s plan consists of billions for vaccine development, but US officials have said it will take four or five years to license an influenza vaccine that could be administered to all Americans in the first six months of a flu pandemic. Meanwhile, an Avian Flu pandemic could break out in Asia or Africa far sooner.

A pandemic strain could emerge in East Africa, which the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has described as “an ideal breeding ground for the virus,” and where the healthcare infrastructure is notably weak. The President’s plan does not help address the severe gaps in the healthcare infrastructure in this or other vulnerable regions.

The plan largely bypasses international institutions, including the World Health Organization and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, which have expertise in supporting the development of health systems. The Global Fund, for example, is already supporting critical health system upgrades in Cambodia, which faces a serious threat from Avian Flu. But, the US contribution to the Fund for 2006 is expected to fall significantly below what the Fund has requested.

The US should commit to helping countries access antiviral medication for treating the sick, as well as a potential vaccine, at affordable prices. If these products are not shared with developing countries, US moral leadership will be damaged and cooperation from affected countries on disease containment, minimizing economic disruption or other issues could be delayed.

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link. Dr. Paul S. Zeitz http://profnet.prnewswire.com/ud_public.jsp?userid=485659

Global AIDS Alliance

CONTACT: David Bryden of Global AIDS Alliance, +1-202-789-0432, ormobile: +1-202-549-3664

Web site: http://www.globalaidsalliance.org/http://www.globalaidsalliance.org/briefing_avian_flu_plan.cfm