ASEAN GEARS UP TO ADDRESS SWINE FLU

JAKARTA, April 30 (Bernama) -- As the outbreak of swine flu threatens
to spread to the region, Asean officials are looking at coordinating measures to
address this latest public health emergency.

"The region has the necessary experience to come to grips with this latest
situation and I am now coordinating with all Asean ministers of health to
provide the necessary cooperation and support," said Asean Secretary-General Dr
Surin Pitsuwan.

Asean, together with the World Health Organisation (WHO), had several
exercises in 2007, 2008 and 2009 to familiarise Asean health officials and
to ensure a most direct and efficient delivery of Tamiflu and Relenza to the
requesting countries.

Tamiflu and Relenza can be used to treat symptoms of swine influenza and to
prevent the disease among those infected or exposed to the virus .

In cooperation with Japan, Asean has 500,000 courses of the anti-viral drug
stockpiled in Singapore while another 500,000 courses have been distributed to
member states.

"We have established a system to distribute the stockpile in the event of
a pandemic," Surin said in a statement here Wednesday.

The Jakarta-based Asean Secretariat is on full alert 24 hours a day, seven
days a week to anticipate any request for the anti-viral drug by member states.

"In view of the urgency, the Asean Secretariat is also arranging for a
teleconference with the region's health officials, comprising experts on
communicable diseases and on emerging infectious diseases," Surin said.

The teleconference aims to review current preventive measures being taken by
Asean member states and the need to consider a common stand and secure agreement
on issues related to public health measures being carried out, such as
surveillance, quarantine and border control, and other relevant issues.

Surin said the issue of mobilisation of additional resources such as the
Asean stockpile of anti-viral agents and personal protective equipment was also
expected to be on the agenda.

The regional measures are expected to supplement those carried out by
individual Asean countries to ensure that they are prepared to face the
occurrence of swine flu among humans.

-- BERNAMA