BANGKOK, May 8 (TNA) - The World Health Organization on Friday praised the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) countries for quickly instituting their cooperative response to the H1N1 virus outbreak.
Speaking in Bangkok on Friday, Dr. Shin Young Soo, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, commended the region's public health ministers from the ASEAN countries plus China, Japan, and South Korea in Bangkok.
He praised the ASEAN countries for being alert in responding to the outbreak of Influenza A/H1N1, and also commended Laos and Cambodia have also improved screening measures to prevent the spread of the deadly virus.
The health official warned that the outbreak may increase in severity, so every country must be cooperative and be well prepared.
Addressing the meeting via video conference was Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), who told participants that the situation of the H1N1 outbreak is unpredictable.
"Do not drop the ball on monitoring H5N1. This virus is endemic in poultry in parts of the region. We have no idea how H5N1 will behave under the pressure of a pandemic," said the WHO chief.
Hundreds of police and troops guarded the meeting venue at the Dusit Thani hotel in downtown Bangkok. The meeting began on Thursday and no protests have been staged so far. (PNA/TNA)