Combating bird flu

India has so far been fortunate in escaping the dreaded bird influenza which broke out in an epidemic form in its neighbourhood in 2003 and has done so again now. But today the threat is vastly different. Unlike then, the viral infection now is not confined to commercial poultry birds but has spread to wild and migratory species. So, measures like a total ban on import of all kinds of poultry products, which helped then, may not do so now as migratory birds throng the country in large number at numerous sites. The threat is serious also because the epicentre of the disease is in neighbouring Southeast Asia and the virus concerned, H5N1, has already been transmitted to humans, causing nearly 120 deaths in Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Worse still, with every fresh outbreak, the circulating virus pool is increasing, adding to the risk of infecting more human beings and escalating into a trans-country pandemic.

The government has already taken some precautionary measures but mostly directed at preventing the entry of the virus through trade routes. Though the government claims to have stepped up surveillance of wild birds, considering the vast number of migratory birds' landing sites, no amount of vigilance can be considered enough. What is needed additionally is to restrict close contacts between humans, domestic poultry and wildlife; and strictly segregate commercial birds from the wild ones. For this, it is essential to monitor the wild life bazaars and shops where wild and domestic birds and animals are often kept in adjoining cages. This apart, preparedness in coping with a crisis, should it eventually break out, is as important. And it is here that the country seems to be somewhat vulnerable. For, the only known effective anti-H5N1 drug is Tamiflu and the country does not have much stock of it. All that has been done so far is to set up a committee to study whether the drug should be imported or not.

The matter has to be given far greater urgency as global demand for the bird flu drug, as fear of a pandemic spreads, has left production far behind. Worst still, the herb predominantly used for synthesising it""the Chinese star anise""is becoming scarce. The drug's supply may come under further strain as US President George Bush has sought $1.7 million from Congress to build up stocks of the drug and take other preparatory measures. However, bird flu is a global menace and requires multilateral action to combat it. Hence it is regrettable that the relevant UN organisations are finding it difficult to bridge a funding gap of $30 million to implement their $175-million strategy to tame the disease. It is critical for the countries which have the means to contribute what they can. As for the Indian government, it has to seriously consider building a suitable stockpile of the drug by producing it. Once the government sorts out the licensing issue with the patent holder, Indian pharma companies can easily do the job. In fact the world is looking to them to ramp up output.