If we can reduce the presence of the virus, we will reduce the probability of a human pandemic.

We think that the condition of veterinary infrastructure in eastern Turkey led to this delay on the information. To manage avian flu in animals, time is a crucial point because if a country is in a position to have a rapid response within two days, the cost of the management is very low, compared with a delay of three or four days. The spread of the disease is exponential, which is why time is crucial.

The priority now must be to address the urgent needs over the next six months. OIE and FAO have identified the key priorities as evaluating and strengthening veterinary services, laboratory and surveillance capacity in affected countries and those most at risk.

We need to deal with this together. . . . If one country is inadequately prepared, it is a threat to every other country,

The disease probably arrived in Siberia from Asia through wild birds and there's no doubt that birds from there fly to Europe.

I urge you all to remember that we are talking about an international public good.