Combating Pandemic Influenza: APEC's Multi-Lateral, Cross-Border Response
Cao Duc Phat, Viet Nam's Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development and Chair of the National Committee for Avian Influenza Prevention and Control said, "It's our intention to infuse a new momentum in the region to develop prevention and control measures for avian influenza." Mr. Phat expects that Ministers will develop an APEC Action Plan on Avian and Influenza Pandemics that will call on members to make firm commitments for international cooperation. This could include standards for influenza treatment, poultry-raising, and communications activities.
While research institutes and pharmaceutical companies have come together to seek cost-effective solutions for curing avian influenza, APEC Ministers will seek ways in which to rally the public sector by cooperating across the region to develop monitoring systems, mechanisms for stockpiling antiviral drugs, and further cooperation on research and production of vaccines. Already, economies have developed plans to stockpile Tamiflu and other medications in case of an outbreak.
When SARS erupted in Asia and North America causing major concern for the economic welfare of the region, APEC Ministers formed the Health Task Force to manage cross-cutting issues that arise when a pandemic hits the region. Learning from the effects of SARS and the consequences of the outbreak felt by members in 2003, APEC Ministers are keen to address the socio-economic impacts of avian and influenza pandemics.
Based on Viet Nam's experience with small outbreaks in Viet Nam, Professor Nguyen Tran Hien, Director of Viet Nam's National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, who is a member of the Health Task Force, notes, "What we learned from SARS is control and we are applying those lessons learned to avian influenza." Preventing and containing a pandemic is crucial to the health and welfare of Viet Nam, and indeed the region. This is why Professor Nguyen and his colleagues from the health and agriculture ministries actively participate on the National Committee for Avian Influenza Disease Control and Prevention which meets weekly to monitor developments. "A national steering committee has been put into place to manage the containment and prevention of avian influenza." The committee reaches into the province, district and commune levels of government.
After the first outbreak occurred in Viet Nam, the government issued regulations restricting the movement of animals, restructured poultry-raising, banned livestock from the market, and began a massive outreach effort by broadcasting health education messages to the public.
Recognizing the effects SARS had on trade, tourism, and transportation, APEC members decided that the potential problems arising from avian influenza and pandemic outbreaks warranted a high-level meeting that would emphasize the political will that needs to be made when addressing this issue.
Like many of APEC's member economies, Vietnam has an economic stake in controlling H5N1, an extremely infectious and fatal disease that could wipe out entire flocks of poultry. In some instances, the disease has spread to humans and in response to the 93 reported human cases, of which 42 were fatal, by December 2005 Vietnam had culled 3.7 million birds to prevent any further cases of H5N1.
According to Viet Nam's Integrated Plan for Avian Influenza Control and Human Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response, the avian influenza epidemic that struck Vietnam in 2004 had a direct negative impact accounting for 0.12 percent of GDP. In the report that was prepared jointly by the Ministries of Health and Agriculture, the findings note that the impact was largely felt among the rural population who are responsible for 60 percent of poultry production in Viet Nam. To avoid the severe economic consequences the disease could cause the government proactively to shut down the poultry industry during potential outbreaks. The government is also consistently working to raise awareness among the general population by educating the public about the disease and encouraging behavior that will prevent its proliferation.
Viet Nam's health sector has responded to the potential crisis by using the framework which helped it to control SARS in 2003. The national committee has strengthened surveillance and laboratory diagnosis, responded to human cases, and has planned key preventive measures such as quarantine and hospitals for treating influenza patients. Vietnam's National Steering Committee for Avian Influenza Prevention and Control, establishes disease control centers, as well as designed guidelines for destroying and disposing of affected poultry, disinfecting premises and improving disease control activities for poultry traders, transporters, processors, and small-scale poultry farms.
Bearing the brunt of the impact when the SARS crisis hit Asia, small and medium-sized enterprises are also exploring how to avoid getting caught in the storm. In 2003, airlines lost passengers which led to losses in tourism revenues and foreign direct investment. Perishable goods spoiled in transit due to increased customs screening which led to higher food prices in the markets. Just as APEC is working to secure the supply chain from terrorism, an equal effort is being made to secure it from disease and pestilence. Indeed Singapore's Standards, Productivity and Innovation Board's guide for SMEs suggests that small businesses "pre-qualify alternative suppliers from unaffected areas. They are recommending that if no alternative supplier is available, businesses should increase inventory levels." Businesses may also include exploring partnership agreements for reciprocal shipments of finished goods to customers.
Based on proposals from both the United States and Singapore, the Small and Medium Sized Enterprises Working Group is considering how businesses can maintain operations an should an outbreak occur. The U.S. proposal encourages member economies to assist business communities with continuity plans in case of an avian influenza pandemic and Singapore shared its "A Flu Pandemic Continuity Guide for SMEs." Members welcomed both documents and agreed to develop a set of APEC best practices and guidelines for business continuity in the case of an avian influenza.
At the Ministerial level and among its working groups, APEC is proactively addressing the potential problems that could arise if an avian influenza pandemic were to occur. In addition to working across member economies, a sectoral approach to fighting the pandemic is also in the works. The business, farming, and health sectors are coming together to identify a regional approach to the potential epidemic, a disease that does not respect border restrictions, domestic health regulations, or cultural norms.
Viet Nam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health will host the APEC Ministerial Meeting on Avian and Influenza Pandemics. The meeting will be held from 4-6 May 2006 in Da Nang City, Viet Nam.