Rich Pacific Rim countries should not wait for a bird flu outbreak in their own populations but help poorer nations stop an outbreak spreading, dpa quoted an Australian expert as saying Monday. Virologist Alan Hampson was speaking as disaster management specialists from 21 countries met in Brisbane to co-ordinate their responses to a possible bird flu pandemic. The regional gathering was told that richer nations should encourage poorer ones to report outbreaks and also share stockpiles of anti-viral drugs. "It may also be important for countries like Australia ... to consider whether they might better use part of that stockpile in the front line rather than waiting for the infection to come to Australia," Dr Hampson said. The aim of the conference of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum countries is to agree on systems to help stop cases of bird flu in one country crossing borders into another. Also on the agenda is the purchase, stockpiling and distribution of antiviral drugs like Tamiflu and Relenza. Australia has stockpiled 4 million doses of the anti-virals Relenza and Tamiflu and is in the market for more. Health Minister Tony Abbott, the host of the APEC gathering, said it was important that populations were mentally prepared for a virulent human strain of the bird flu virus. Earlier this month Abbott canvassed the possibility that all 20 million Australians could be vaccinated against bird flu next year if a vaccine being developed in Australia is shown to be effective. --more 1410 Local Time 1110 GMT
