Published on October 16, 2005

Thailand has done a relatively good job readying for the possibility of an outbreak of a human form of bird flu. The world faces the possibility of becoming a much more dangerous place, now that Asia’s deadly bird flu has spread to Europe. The virus’ migration has raised fears that a flu pandemic could break out and kill millions worldwide.

International reactions, particularly those coming from countries where the fatal H5N1 avian virus has just been detected, have been dramatic and robust. The European Union has held crisis talks on the spread of bird flu, quarantined affected areas, ordered mandatory culling of many birds and issued recommendations on the potential risks to humans. European countries, the United States and other wealthy industrial nations have started thinking about fast-tracking development of flu vaccines to ensure their citizens are better protected in the event of a killer pandemic.

Healthcare experts have warned that time will be very limited if bird flu starts to mutate and spread easily between humans, since it could take up to six months to make vaccines and bring them to market. The allocation of enormous human and financial resources has been made in order to step up preparedness and begin dealing with what could become the world’s worst public health crisis in a century. Contrast this to what Southeast Asia – where the outbreak of the virus originated and infected 112 people, of whom 62 have died – has done so far and one cannot help but be alarmed by the lack of public awareness or governmental commitment to deal with a healthcare disaster.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Southeast Asian countries would not be able to contain a bird-flu epidemic unless they received significant financial and technical assistance from wealthier countries. It is estimated that at least US$260 million (Bt10.6 billion) is needed by the WHO, the Food and Agriculture Organisation and the World Organisation for Animal Health to tackle human and animal factors in order to bring the on-again, off-again avian-flu epidemic under control. Only $20 million has been pledged by the international community to help Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia, which lack the resources for handling the spread of bird flu.

Greater transparency in monitoring outbreaks, mandatory culling and strict quarantines, as well as more international cooperation, are prerequisites for any success effort to contain the spread of the virus.

Thailand has learned from its mistakes. The Thaksin administration committed serious blunders when the bird flu first hit the country in 2004, when it either played down or withheld crucial information about the extent of the epidemic for fear of losing face or incurring economic damage to the country. Lax enforcement of the mandatory culling of poultry and wild birds, and of quarantines, also contributed to the worsening of the crisis. Thailand has since put in place proper mechanisms and adequate resources for combating intermittent bird-flu outbreaks. Thailand has one of the better systems among developing countries in monitoring flu strains in birds and humans.

More than 100,000 volunteers have been recruited to monitor flu outbreaks in birds and humans in virtually all rural communities in the country. They are required to report any unusual incidents, such as deaths of large numbers of poultry or migratory birds in their localities, to relevant authorities, who are working in close cooperation with local public health officials and veterinarians.

Government hospitals at all levels are required to follow common guidelines in reporting on incidents that indicate the presence of bid flu, and in conducting screening tests on humans. The hospitals must also isolate people suspected of being infected with bird flu for observation and treatment. Officials responsible for animal health are watching for outbreaks, and when warranted ordering quarantines, conducting mandatory culling and offering compensation to affected poultry farmers to encourage them to cooperate.

The government has also stockpiled 200,000 doses of anti-viral drugs such as Tamiflu that can be used to treat people infected with bird flu, and is administering flu vaccines to vulnerable people like children and the elderly. But Thailand, along with other members of the international community, can do a lot more in helping other Southeast Asian countries like Laos, Cambodia and Indonesia, deal with the worsening situation. Bird flu is highly contagious and has proved its capability to travel far and wide. It has become everybody’s problem.

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