Transparency Plea Over Bird Flu

According to this article, Margaret Chan Fung Fu-chun, the director-general-elect of the World Health Organization (WHO) is calling on member countries to implement a high level of transparency in the fight against avian influenza. In an interview with Xinhua News Agency, the director-general-elect urged member states to report any avian flu outbreaks to the WHO and the United Nations' World Organization for Animal Health.

It is predicted that Chan’s position on information sharing and cooperation could encourage China to share medical samples and information with WHO member countries, strengthening China’s relationship with the WHO.

According to the article, Chan cites international cooperation and increased research as the key to winning the fight against bird flu. She has also pledged to establish a global health observatory to collect and collate data on priority health problems.