Libreville, 17 March 2006 -- The capital of Gabon is hosting, from 20-22 March 2006, a major meeting on the avian influenza situation in Africa. The meeting is being jointly organized by the Government of Gabon and six agencies of the United Nations System (*).

Taking place under the distinguished patronage of the President of the Republic of Gabon, His Excellency El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba, the meeting will bring together more than 200 participants from 46 African countries. It aims to assist the countries to cope with the eventuality of epidemic in Africa by strengthening national capacity.

More specifically, the meeting will update participants on the avian influenza situation in Africa; disseminate the report of the United Nations joint mission to Nigeria and neighbouring countries; share national preparedness and response plans; mobilize resources; and make recommendations for improving support to countries.

The FAO Regional Director for Africa, Mr Anebi Edache, the WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Luis Gomes Sambo, the UNDP Regional Director, Mr Gilbert Houngbo, and the United Nations Coordinator for avian influenza, Dr David Nabarro will be the main driving forces behind the meeting.

Participants in the meeting will include directors of national animal and human health services; country representatives of WHO, FAO, UNDP and UNICEF; and representatives of the World Bank, African Union, African Development Bank, European Union and bilateral partners.

The meeting is taking place at a time when four African countries are already affected by H5N1, the highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza virus. The countries are Nigeria, Egypt, Niger and Cameroon.

The spread of H5N1 virus on the African continent has confirmed the fears of the international community in view of the economic impact of the epizootics and the weakness of both human and animal health systems. The situation poses a real danger to the prevention and control of avian influenza and can pave the way for human-to-human transmission of the virus.

(*) World Health Organization (WHO), World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

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