"WHO continues to closely monitor the geographical spread of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009. Member States will need to continue updating their plans accordingly. It is important to allocate appropriate resources and maintain the overall pandemic preparedness," said Dr Samlee Plianbangchang, WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia, speaking during the WHO´s South-East Asia Regional Committee meeting in Kathmandu. "A winter surge is a real possibility in the South-East Asia Region. WHO is closely monitoring the virus for genetic mutation and drug resistance," he added.
Addressing a press meet on Monday, WHO Director General Dr Margaret Chan had said the virus has been stable so far with no significant change and the genetic pattern of the virus in countries like Australia, Argentina and Chile of southern hemisphere is found to be similar to that of the first wave in Mexico in the northern hemisphere to allay fears about a deadlier winter surge in the northern hemisphere.
But she had also warned that influenza virus is the most unpredictable, tenacious and treacherous of microorganism and suggested all to remain on a high alert. WHO said it has transferred technology and development funds to three major vaccine manufacturers in the region that will have a collective capacity of about 220 million doses annually, with a surge capacity for another 200 million doses over one year.
Measles elimination by 2020
Health experts of WHO member states in South-East Asia are preparing to set a target of eliminating measles mortality by the year 2020.
The countries had set a target of reducing measles mortality in the region by 90 percent by the year 2010 in comparison to 2000 and Nepal has already attained the goal in 2007. "All countries except India have already achieved the target with four countries including Bhutan, the Maldives, Sri lanka and DPR Korea on verge of eliminating it. Thailand is also pretty close behind the four countries while India has revised the target meant to be met by 2010 for in 2013," WHO´s measles expert Dr Arun Thapa said.
Measles mortality that was 235,000 in the region in 2000 could be lowered only to 136,000 in 2007 despite drastic improvement in ten countries due to the failure of India, that has a very large population, to attain the target. Due to India´s relative failure, the region accounted for more than two-thirds of the world´s measles mortality of 197,000 in 2007.
Dr Thapa said health representatives are now discussing to set a target of eliminating measles mortality by 2020 and a decision is set to be reached on Thursday.
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