North American Plan for Avian and Pandemic Influenza
Abstract
Canada, Mexico and the United States face a growing threat posed by the spread of avian influenza and the potential emergence of a human influenza pandemic. The highly pathogenic (HPAI) H5N1 avian influenza virus, which re-emerged in Asia in late 2003, has already spread to Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Although the virus has not yet reached North America, Canada, Mexico, and the United States must be prepared for the day when it or some other highly contagious virus does. At the March 2006 Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP) summit in Cancun, the leaders of Canada, Mexico, and the United States committed to developing a comprehensive, coordinated and science-based North American approach to prepare for and manage avian and pandemic influenza. The North American Plan for Avian and Pandemic influenza outlines how Canada, Mexico, and the United States intend to work together to combat an outbreak of avian influenza or an influenza pandemic in North America. The Plan complements national emergency management plans and builds upon the core principles of the International Partnership on Avian and Pandemic Influenza, the standards and guidelines of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), the World Health Organization (WHO) -- including the revised International Health Regulations, as well as the rules and provisions of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the North American Free Trade Agreement. This Plan outlines a collaborative North American approach that recognizes controlling the spread of avian influenza or a novel strain of human influenza, with minimal economic disruption, is in the best interest of all three countries. Coordination among Canada, Mexico, and the United States will be critical in the event of an avian influenza outbreak or pandemic. The Plan, therefore, describes the organizational emergency management frameworks in each of the three countries and how they intend to coordinate their activities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA471695
Entities
Organizations
- foreign affairs ministry