Panel set up to tackle bird flu

Malaysia is concerned that bird flu may mutate into a form that could spread among humans, setting off a pandemic.
As a result, the Government has formed a committee to look into how the nation would respond if a large proportion of the population was infected with the virus.
Called the National Pandemic Preparedness Plan, it is headed by director-general of Health Datuk Dr Ismail Merican.
"We must simulate an outbreak and see how far we are prepared," Dr Ismail said, adding that he wanted to get the private sector and non-governmental organisations involved in coming up with a plan to tackle an outbreak of the disease.
He said a National Laboratory Biosafety committee had also been set up to make sure that all laboratories in the country were able to provide a speedy diagnosis of bird flu.
Veterinary Department director-general Datuk Dr Hawari Hussein also expressed worry over the speed at which the avian flu virus was evolving.
His concern is not misplaced. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently urged countries to increase their vigilance because the strain detected in China appeared to have become more virulent.
Shigeru Omi, the WHO’s Western Pacific regional director, said:
"The virus remains unstable, unpredictable and very versatile."
Vietnam today reported another human death from bird flu.
Health experts are expected to discuss the threat of bird flu at a conference here next week.

source