# 1371
A not-so-gentle reminder to nations, and individuals, that bird flu remains a threat and the next few months are likely to bring a good many outbreaks.
This article is from the AP, and is getting wide circulation around the world. By all means, follow the link and read the whole thing.
WHO warns countries to be vigilant as bird flu flares in Asia
By MARGIE MASON
AP Medical Writer
HANOI, Vietnam (AP) -- The World Health Organization warned Monday that countries should be on alert for bird flu because it is again on the move, with Pakistan reporting new infections and Myanmar logging its first human case.
"The key to the public health response is surveillance," said Peter Cordingley, spokesman for the WHO Western Pacific region in Manila. "If we do actually get to the cases with antivirals early on, the health outcome is a lot better."
WHO experts arrived in Pakistan to try to sort out cases reported there, South Asia's first human infections. They were expected to visit a hospital and affected areas Tuesday, said WHO country representative Khalif Bile in Islamabad.
"They are here to get more information and to provide more support in the case of any potential risk," he said, adding that the Health Ministry, Agriculture Ministry and WHO are now working closely together following a "communication gap" when the government did not immediately report suspected cases to the WHO.
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The H5N1 virus often flares during the winter months. In some countries, like Indonesia, poultry outbreaks and human cases are reported year round, but many countries experience a flurry of activity when temperatures drop.
"It starts to pop at this time of the year, not just in this region where it's endemic, but it starts to appear in the West," Cordingley said. "Between now and April is a very dangerous time of the year."
Most human bird flu cases have been linked to sick birds, but experts suspect limited person-to-person transmission may have occurred in a few cases involving blood relatives.
