..Press Release.......UNESCAP News Services

Date 17 October 2006
Note to the Media No. N/39/2006

MEDIA ALERT: PRESS CONFERENCE BY DR. DAVID NABARRO

Friday 20 October, UNCC Bangkok, at 14.30 hrs

UN Avian and Human Influenza Coordinator visits Asia-Pacific

Bangkok (United Nations Information Services) – Dr. David Nabarro, the Senior UN System Coordinator for Avian and Human Influenza (AHI), will give a press conference in Bangkok on Friday, 20 October 2006.

Since Dr. Nabarro took up this role one year ago, the Asian region continues to be hardest hit by AHI. There have been 40 deaths out of 50 human cases so far in Indonesia this year, a significant proportion of the 70 human deaths recorded worldwide since the start of 2006.

At the end of his fourth visit to the region, which has included Australia, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Myanmar, Dr. Nabarro will be able to give a global AHI update, as well as discussing the pandemic threat in the Asia-Pacific region, and developments in preparedness, response capacity and containment over the last twelve months.

With the virus still circulating in the region, the focus must now be on investing resources in strategies for a medium to long-term approach, so that ongoing surveillance, control, containment and education outreach can be strengthened and sustained as well as better preparedness for a pandemic.

NOTE TO EDITORS: You or your representatives are cordially invited to attend the Press Conference with Senior UN System Co-coordinator for Avian and Human Influenza, Dr. David Nabarro, on Friday 20 October at 14:30 hrs at Conference Room A, 1st Floor, UN Conference Centre, Rajdamnern Nok Avenue, Bangkok.

For media inquiries, please contact:

David Lazarus
Chief, UN Information Services
Bangkok
Tel: +(66-2) 288-1869 / -1867 and 288-1489
Fax: +(66-2) 288-1052
Email: unisbkk.unescap@un.org

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