PHA-Exchange> WHO Statement on Science and Nature papers on influenza

[Claudio]

> > *WHO STATEMENT
> > *
> > *Geneva -* The World Health Organization (WHO) welcomes the pandemic 
> > influenza response modelling papers published in the journals Science 
> > and Nature this week. This is work done by expert scientists using two 
> > different sets of assumptions. The models provide additional 
> > information which will help WHO and public health officials in our 
> > Member States to improve pandemic influenza preparedness planning.
> >
> > Both papers suggest that a combination of early, targeted use of 
> > antiviral medicines and social distancing (measures such as cancelling 
> > mass gatherings and closing schools) can stop a pandemic, or at least 
> > slow its spread. There would be significant practical challenges to 
> > implementing such measures, but the enormous social trauma and human 
> > suffering that an influenza pandemic could inflict creates an 
> > obligation to thoroughly explore all proposals to limit this damage.
> >
> > Several countries have already purchased stockpiles of antiviral drugs 
> > and WHO has taken steps to establish an international stockpile. 
> > National and international stockpiles of antiviral drugs may be an 
> > essential component of comprehensive international pandemic 
> > preparedness, that also includes vaccine development and disease 
> > surveillance.
> >
> > If we have a chance to reduce the scale of a pandemic with antivirals 
> > and other public health measures, the success of these interventions 
> > will depend on effective disease surveillance and early reporting in 
> > risk-prone countries. Before any stockpile can be used effectively, 
> > both must be strengthened.