Singapore and France hold bird flu workshop for Asean countries

 The seven-day event starting Thursday aims to equip participants with the "knowledge and skills to develop and execute an effective plan to prevent and manage avian influenza outbreaks in health care settings," the ministry's statement said.

It also will provide a forum for the exchange of views and the sharing of country updates on the avian flu situation and outbreak management.

Asean includes Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Brunei, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar (Burma).

Experts from the Pasteur Institute in Cambodia and Singapore Changi General Hospital are attending.

The World Health Organization fears the H5N1 strain of bird flu could mutate into a more virulent form which could lead to a pandemic.

Indonesia has been the worst-hit country, followed by Egypt.

// Deutsche Presse Agentur (DPA)