Health Minister Maria Rauch-Kallat is engaged in a battle together with many other countries to stem the tide of avian flu. “The only effective means of preventing an outbreak and possible pandemic among the human population is to fight the avian flu epidemic”, stated the Minister.
On 17 and 18 January, Maria Rauch-Kallat will participate in the International Donors’ Conference in Beijing as the representative of Austria and the EU Presidency. Representatives from Asian countries, WHO, UN Senior Coordinator David Nabarro, EU Commissioner Markos Kyprianou and representatives of the World Bank will also attend. The aim is to define and finance measures in order to effectively combat the epidemic in the countries affected.
They will seek to raise a total of USD 1 billion. The European Commission expects to raise EUR 80 million, the USA around EUR 130 million and Japan EUR 120 million. Germany and France are expected to raise at least EUR 10 million each, and Switzerland has promised to provide CHF 6 million.
Austria is making EUR 1 million available, which will be used primarily to set up and improve veterinary and medical diagnosis centres in the affected areas. “This means that Austrian specialists will be helping to improve hygiene levels, laboratory analyses and further control measures”, said the Minister.
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