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SINGAPORE: ASEAN member states are intensifying surveillance, coordinating the sharing of pertinent information and taking necessary precautionary public health measures to deal with the outbreak of the swine influenza.
The grouping also has a stockpile of antiviral agents and personal protective equipment that are readily available to member states for rapid response and containment of outbreaks that may occur in the region.
In a statement, ASEAN's secretary-general, Surin Pitsuwan, said the grouping has 500,000 courses of antiviral drugs stockpiled in Singapore and an additional 500,000 courses distributed to member states.
Dr Surin said ASEAN member states have the existing mechanisms and networks for strengthening preparedness and response to a possible pandemic, following the experience from the recent SARS and avian influenza outbreaks.
These mechanisms include the ASEAN technical working group on pandemic preparedness and response, ASEAN communication and integration strategy, minimum standards for joint outbreak investigation and response, and the non-health indicators for pandemic preparedness and response.
On April 27, the ASEAN Secretariat Working Group for One Health was also convened to monitor and assess the current swine influenza situation and plan for immediate actions.
- CNA/yt
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