Although we do not know exactly how avian flu spread in these countries [Israel, Jordan, the Palestinian Authority and Egypt], all outbreaks were caused by the same H5N1 virus strain. It has been speculated that the disease was spread between flocks in Israel … Jordan … and the Palestinian Authority … In three of the outbreak foci, the 3 km protection zone (in which all birds were culled) crossed borders and included areas in Israel and the Palestinian Authority. These culling operations required close collaboration between veterinary and public health services within each country, and also between countries. …
We believe that the cooperation, mutual reporting, and assistance described here had an important effect during these outbreaks of avian flu. The opportunity to compare and synchronize preparedness plans before the event helped prevent the spread of the disease in these countries. The cooperation resulted in tangible help, such as training technicians locally and supplying equipment for culling birds. …
Such collaboration also helped build the confidence needed to manage pandemic flu or any health related crisis that crosses borders. The countries continued to collaborate on infectious diseases of common interest (ad hoc and at a low profile) even during the outbreak of violence in the Middle East during the summer of 2006. Access the full article>>
