ID :
28102
Mon, 11/03/2008 - 10:44
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/28102
The shortlink copeid
Japan, China, S. Korea to cooperate in combating new strains of flu
BEIJING, Nov. 2 Kyodo - Health ministers from Japan, China and South Korea on Sunday agreed to an action plan to fight a potential pandemic of avian flu or new strains of influenza.
The action plan calls for sharing information about avian flu and new strains
of influenza that could cause a global pandemic and holding joint exercises in
order to limit damage from a virulent flu attack.
In a report released last month, the United Nations warned that the threat of a
global influenza pandemic remains even though human infections from the deadly
H5N1 avian flu have abated in the past year.
Prior to the one-day trilateral health meeting, Japanese Health, Labor and
Welfare Minister Yoichi Masuzoe met with Chinese Health Minister Chen Zhu and
urged the Chinese to promote food safety.
South Korea was represented in the meeting by Health and Welfare Minister Jeon
Jae Hee.
Traditionally, information sharing on new strains of influenza is channeled
through the World Health Organization. The action plan signed Sunday commits
the three neighboring countries to set up a teleconferencing network to
coordinate their efforts.
The three countries agreed to take joint preventive actions through quarantine
in order to contain the spread of flu at the early stage of an outbreak.
They also agreed to invite other Asian countries to regional health symposiums.
The next trilateral health minister meeting is scheduled to take place in Tokyo
next year. Food safety is also expected to be on the agenda in next year's
meeting.
During bilateral talks with Chen, Masuzoe said the two countries should step up
cooperation and set up a mechanism to ensure that food supplies meet the
required safety standards.
Safety about Chinese-produced food has raised concerns in Japan since pesticide
was detected in frozen dumplings produced in China. The industrial chemical
melamine was detected in Chinese-produced dairy products.
Speaking at a news conference after the trilateral meeting, Chen said the
Chinese government is determined to introduce international food safety
standards and China will strive to meet the safety standards of countries
importing Chinese food.
The action plan calls for sharing information about avian flu and new strains
of influenza that could cause a global pandemic and holding joint exercises in
order to limit damage from a virulent flu attack.
In a report released last month, the United Nations warned that the threat of a
global influenza pandemic remains even though human infections from the deadly
H5N1 avian flu have abated in the past year.
Prior to the one-day trilateral health meeting, Japanese Health, Labor and
Welfare Minister Yoichi Masuzoe met with Chinese Health Minister Chen Zhu and
urged the Chinese to promote food safety.
South Korea was represented in the meeting by Health and Welfare Minister Jeon
Jae Hee.
Traditionally, information sharing on new strains of influenza is channeled
through the World Health Organization. The action plan signed Sunday commits
the three neighboring countries to set up a teleconferencing network to
coordinate their efforts.
The three countries agreed to take joint preventive actions through quarantine
in order to contain the spread of flu at the early stage of an outbreak.
They also agreed to invite other Asian countries to regional health symposiums.
The next trilateral health minister meeting is scheduled to take place in Tokyo
next year. Food safety is also expected to be on the agenda in next year's
meeting.
During bilateral talks with Chen, Masuzoe said the two countries should step up
cooperation and set up a mechanism to ensure that food supplies meet the
required safety standards.
Safety about Chinese-produced food has raised concerns in Japan since pesticide
was detected in frozen dumplings produced in China. The industrial chemical
melamine was detected in Chinese-produced dairy products.
Speaking at a news conference after the trilateral meeting, Chen said the
Chinese government is determined to introduce international food safety
standards and China will strive to meet the safety standards of countries
importing Chinese food.
