Recent avian influenza outbreaks in 15 countries demonstrate that the H5N1 virus remains a global threat and requires close monitoring and strong control efforts, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said on Thursday.

Since December 2007, Bangladesh, Benin, China, Egypt, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Myanmar, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and Vietnam have confirmed new H5N1 outbreaks in poultry stocks. Except for a few cases in wild birds in China, Poland and Britain, most of the confirmed outbreaks occurred in domestic poultry, including chickens, turkeys, geese and ducks, FAO said.

"Globally, much progress has been achieved in keeping the H5N1 avian influenza virus under control. We are better prepared today to deal with the disease than we were three years ago," said FAO's Chief Veterinary Officer Joseph Domenech.

"Surveillance, early detection and immediate response have improved and many newly infected countries have managed to eliminate the virus from poultry."

"But the H5N1 avian influenza crisis is far from over and remains particularly worrying in Indonesia, Bangladesh and Egypt, where the virus has become deeply entrenched despite major control efforts," Domenech said.

Countries should continue to keep a close eye on the evolving situation. "The virus has not become more contagious to humans but has managed to persist in parts of Asia, Africa and probably Europe. It could still trigger a human influenza pandemic," Domenech warned.

Commenting on individual countries, FAO's chief veterinary officer said India is struggling to keep the worst-ever avian influenza outbreak in West Bengal under control.

Indonesia remains one of the worst affected countries with 31 out of 33 provinces infected since 2004, many heavily. The continuing number of human cases gives cause for concern, according to FAO.

"We have observed that new H5N1 avian influenza virus strains have recently emerged in Indonesia with the possible effect that vaccines currently in use may not be fully protecting poultry against the disease. This requires more investigations and the development of better poultry vaccines," Domenech said.

"The reporting of new outbreaks in poultry, disinfection, culling, movement control and biosecurity on farms and markets remain insufficient and need to be improved. Vaccination campaigns had been generally successful on commercial farms, but not among small-scale producers," Domenech said.

Domenech also confirmed that the potential change of virus strains should be further investigated. FAO is working closely with the government of Egypt in strengthening all aspects of disease detection, control and communication.

With FAO's assistance, more than 50 countries have been able to control and eliminate the disease in poultry.

"Surveillance and immediate control interventions, biosecurity, proper vaccination and culling and the strengthening of veterinary services are key elements for successful H5N1 avian influenza control campaigns," Domenech said.

(Xinhua News Agency January 25, 2008)