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ADB Offers Assistance and Urges Regional Cooperation in Fight Against Avian Flu

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (27 January 2004) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is ready to assist its developing member countries (DMCs) affected by the avian flu to combat the growing health and economic threat to the region posed by the virus, it said today.

ADB assistance to avian virus-affected member countries would be three-pronged and include international technical expertise, providing equipment (such as protective clothing), and surveillance and monitoring of public health.

It would work closely with its Asian member countries and technical agencies such as the World Health Organization (WHO), said Rajat Nag, Director General of ADB's Mekong Department during a visit to Bangkok.

WHO has called for a united international effort, similar to that seen last year in response to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

Mr. Nag called on the avian flu-affected countries to work together closely and adopt a regional approach to combating the disease.

"This is a regional issue as viruses know no borders," Mr. Nag said. "We, as an institution, stand ready to assist our DMCs. If there is anything we learned from SARS, the more open we are, the more information we share, the better off we are to fight any impending health crisis."

The avian flu virus, which has already claimed its first human victims as well as tens of millions of chickens, could cost the region tens of billions of dollars if it is not curtailed, according to ADB's Assistant Chief Economist, Jean-Pierre Verbiest.

At least initially, the poorest will be hardest hit by the avian flu outbreak- particularly in rural areas, he said.

"But if the flu creates a major travel scare as was the case with SARS, tourism and other economic losses could reach tens of billions of dollars."

He pointed out that chicken is a major staple food item in most Asian countries, particularly for the poorer segments of the population.

"A major crisis in the chicken industry which would reduce supply and push up prices would therefore disproportionately affect the poorer consumers," he said.

"For several Asian countries, chicken is a major export. Thailand exports about 500,000 tons of broiler meat, mainly to Japan. This alone represents an annual value of about $1 billion, which is not negligible. A major crisis in the poultry industry would have a quite severe impact on some Asian economies, particularly on rural areas."

The regional SARS outbreak last year revealed weaknesses in public health systems in several countries. In response, ADB approved grants amounting to $5 million to DMCs in public health surveillance, SARS prevention and control, public education, and improved capacity to assess the health and socioeconomic consequences of SARS.

"About $800,000 of the money remains undisbursed and can be used immediately to assist in the fight against avian flu," says Erik Bloom, an ADB Social Protection Specialist.

In addition, in June, ADB approved a request from Viet Nam to reallocate US$6.17 million from an existing health sector loan to help shore up the country's fight against SARS. Some of these funds can also be used to counteract the new health threat, Mr. Bloom said.

More at adb.org/media

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