WHO new head Margaret Chan warns of bird flu

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-05-2007 09:27

The new head of the World Health Organization, has warned of the dangers of bird flu. Margaret Chan officially took charge of the WHO on Thursday, the first Chinese to head a UN agency.

Doctor Margaret Chan says there has been a lull in bird flu infections in recent months. But that cases have begun picking up again in recent weeks.

She said "The evidence is still there. This H5N1 is causing unprecedented damage to the poultry sector. And along the way many people were infected... and more than half of these people died. And all I can say is that we cannot let our guards down. We must maintain our vigilance."

Chan says the world has improved surveillance of the disease, as well as rapid response to any outbreaks.

But she also stressed that more is needed to fight against older diseases, such as malaria -- which kills some 3-thousand children every day.

The WHO also intends to press on with its campaign to eradicate polio. The organization missed its target of destroying the disease in the world by 2005. And set a new goal to eradicate the disease by the end of 2007.

Doctor Chan told WHO staff that she did not foresee a major restructuring of the agency. But that she will be looking for ways to improve cooperation among different parts of the organization. She also hopes to make WHO programs more effective.

On Taiwan issue

In her first press conference in the job, Margaret Chan spoke on how she'll handle political issues relating to Taiwan.

"In so far as the policy matter is concerned, meaning the one China policy, it is the prerogative of the member states of WHO. As director-general I would implement policies decided by the member states." Margaret Chan said.

On Taiwan's attempt to become an observer of the World Health Assembly, Chan said it was something that must be dealt with according to WHO policies. She said the Chinese government signed a memorandum with the WHO in 2005, in an bid to boost Taiwan medical experts' participation in technical exchanges within the organization.

Editor:Du Xiaodan