The outlines of a global strategy to tackle the spread of bird flu was agreed at a meeting of health experts in Geneva as the virus claimed its 65th victim, a 16-year-old Indonesian girl yesterday.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) chief Lee Jong-Wook said the proposed $1 billion strategy covered minimising the virus threat at source in animals and humans; strengthening early warning systems, veterinary services and improving countries' pandemic preparedness; and making access to anti-viral drugs fairer.
The strategy, agreed over the past thee days at the Geneva gathering of over 400 health and veterinary experts, also provides for more research into pandemic vaccines to begin immediately.
In line with the new strategy, the Minister for Agriculture and Food, Mary Coughlan, said last night that arrangements had now been finalised to register all flockowners and premises where captive birds are kept for sale or sporting purposes.
The requirement to register applies to all individuals and companies who keep domestic poultry, even small numbers of chickens, hens, turkeys, ducks or geese for their own or local consumption, before November 30th.
It also applies to those who own, handle or trade in domestic poultry or other captive birds for sale or sporting purposes, such as aviaries, pet farms, pet shops, game clubs and pigeon breeders.
"Registration will provide the department with critical additional information needed to identify and electronically map the precise locations where all such birds are kept.
"In the event of an outbreak of disease, we will use this information to determine quickly and accurately restriction and control zones," said the Minister.
In Geneva, Mr Jong-Wook highlighted improved communication to the public as a priority and said a donor conference has been arranged for January 17th and 18th in Beijing.
The death of the Indonesian teenager, who lived near a bird market in East Jakarta, brings the total number of recorded bird flu deaths to 65.