A/H1N1 virus and FAO response
Countries across the globe continue to report human cases of the A/H1N1 influenza virus, previously and unfortunately known as “swine flu”. So far over half of the cases are in Mexico, where the death toll reached 53 on 11 May 2009. With the World Health Organization raising its pandemic alert level from four to five, countries worldwide are being advised to step up precautionary measures and be prepared for an eventual pandemic.
At present, there is no evidence of a threat to the food chain. However, given the current lack of knowledge regarding the new virus strain, FAO is urging national authorities and farmers to monitor pigs carefully and investigate any influenza-like symptoms in domestic animals. FAO’s first actions, together with partners, will be to ascertain whether A/H1N1 is circulating in pigs, assist in preventing infection of pigs from humans and support countries in preparing for and responding to outbreaks of the disease.
FAO’s Crisis Management Centre – Animal Health (CMC-AH) deployed a mission to Mexico on 29 April to support Government efforts to assess the epidemiological situation and respond to the crisis. Under the CMC-AH mission, experts from FAO, the World Organisation for Animal Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Pan American Organization and the Organismo Internacional Regional de Sanidad Agropecuaria are supporting Mexican veterinary services by:
- providing technical advice regarding any possible recent or new disease events in pigs;
- building national capacities in surveillance, epidemiologic investigation, laboratory diagnosis and biosecurity; and
- strengthening analysis of possible links between human and animal A/H1N1 virus strains in collaboration with public health teams.
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