WHO Regional Director for Europe to visit Ankara, Turkey
(Note for the press EURO 02/06, Copenhagen, 10 January 2006)

Dr Marc Danzon is visiting Ankara, to assure the Government of Turkey of WHO's support in containing the avian influenza outbreak and to learn first hand from national health authorities about the assistance the country needs from WHO.

On 11 January, the WHO Regional Director for Europe, Dr Marc Danzon, will pay a working visit to Turkey. He is due to arrive in Ankara early in the morning to discuss the outbreak of avian influenza in human beings with the Turkish Minister of Health and other national health officials.

The visit is to assure the Government of Turkey of WHO's support in containing the outbreak and to learn first hand from national health authorities about the assistance the country needs from WHO.

Dr Danzon will also confer with the joint team of international experts that was deployed to Turkey a few days ago to investigate the epidemiological situation and to assess risk factors and control measures.

WHO notes the timely action that Turkish authorities took at the first signs of the spread of avian influenza from birds to human beings, including the quick reporting of outbreaks in humans, sharing of laboratory test results and welcoming international expertise. At the same time, WHO encourages intersectoral collaboration to control the outbreak in both humans and animals. More effective measures seem to be needed to contain the epidemic of avian influenza in birds.

For further information contact:
Ms Liuba Negru
Press and Media Relations
WHO Regional Office for Europe
Scherfigsvej 8, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
Tel.: +45 3917 1344. Fax: +45 3917 1880
E-mail: LNE@eurio.who.int