Shigeru Omi
Shigeru Omi
Shigeru Omiis the current Regional Director of the Western Pacific Regional Office for the World Health Organization. He was born in Tokyo in 1949 and currently lives in Manila...
given time unlike warning
Unlike the influenza pandemics of the past, this time the world has been given a warning that one may be on its way.
infection terms time
This is the first time that we have third-generation infection in terms of laboratory-acquired infection.
affecting among chickens crucial time
Surveillance is crucial because, in my view, the outbreaks affecting transmission among chickens were there for some time without being noticed.
achievement countries country excellent follow government hard high hopeful lead major mark pacific progress region results several shown soon towards western work
These excellent results mark a major achievement by a country that used to have a high incidence of neonatal tetanus. All countries in the WHO Western Pacific Region have made progress towards neonatal tetanus elimination. Viet Nam has shown that government commitment, hard work and partnerships lead to results. We are hopeful that several other countries in the region will soon follow Viet Nam's example.
continuing month pandemic passing situation threat
The situation is worsening with each passing month and the threat of an influenza pandemic is continuing to grow.
change course power serious situation within
The situation is very serious and getting worse. It is still within our power to change the course of this epidemic.
capacity grass roots strengthen
They acknowledged the need to strengthen the capacity particularly at the grass roots level.
control next
Even if you control avian flu, the next one is coming,
clear commitment convention government habit ingrained smoking
We know that implementing the convention will not be easy, as smoking is an ingrained habit in China, but the government has made clear its commitment to take action.
cases compare four happened health needs public sars serious situation taiwan year
This situation is not yet a serious public health threat, but if you compare this one with the two laboratory-acquired cases in Taiwan and Singapore, and also if you compare this one with the four SARS cases (in Guangdong, China) which happened during the first part of this year ... the situation needs more attention,
consequences disposal early economies ensure global health instantly pandemic public ready respond signs weapons
We must try to ensure that we will be ready to respond instantly with all the weapons at our disposal should the early signs of an influenza pandemic appear. If we fail, the consequences for societies, economies and global public health could be immeasurable.
coming emerging encounter likely mind
We must keep in mind that we are likely to encounter in the coming years many other new emerging diseases,
farmers incentive realize report suspected
We need to realize that there is very little incentive for farmers to report suspected outbreaks,
pandemic prepare window
While we still have a window of opportunity, we must do everything we can to avert an influenza pandemic as we simultaneously prepare for a worse-case scenario,