Public awareness key regarding bird flu

   Informing citizens and raising public awareness regarding the bird flu virus is key European Commissioner responsible for Health and Consumer Protection Markos Kyprianou and Greek Health Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos said during the EU Health Ministers' informal meeting held in Vienna on Friday.

    Speaking to the ANA-MPA, Kyprianou said that the EU's goal is to inform citizens that there is no cause for panic. Legislation is in place, as are measures which are being implemented he said.

    The bird flu virus concerns poultry and is not a human illness, Kyprianou stressed, adding that efforts are being made to protect poultry.

    Representing Greece at the meeting, Avramopoulos said that the country has handled the bird flu virus threat, responsibly, transparently and with the seriousness it deserves.

    He proposed that a common communication policy within the EU and in cooperation with the countries present at Friday's meeting be adopted, a proposal which according to Kyprianou was well received and will be examined by the Commission.

    Avramopoulos said that it is important for EU citizens to realise that member states and EU agencies are handling the problem responsibly.

    He echoed Kyprianou's statements that people's health is not at risk at present, that the necessary measures have been implemented and that "we are ready to deal with this situation."

    The Greek minister also noted that the message resulting from Friday's informal ministerial meeting is one of confidence, safety and calmness "so that we can go on living without the psychological consequences created by a sense of panic that seems to be increasingly intensifying."

    In summing up, Avramopoulos said that the EU public must be informed as regards to the current status of the situation in order to dissipate any sense of panic and for everyone to return to their normal way of life and activities without the disruption of countries' basic economic sectors.

    Finally, he praised the Austrian EU presidency for calling the emergency informal meeting.

   

   

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