India, Pakistan to cooperate in controlling bird flu, polio

INDIA: India and Pakistan on Tuesday discussed joint steps to control bird flu and polio as they seek to cooperate in tackling regional health care concerns, an Indian spokesman said.

The first meeting of a technical-level working group "discussed measures for control of polio and exchanged ideas on management of avian influenza," said Navtej Sarna, the External Affairs Ministry spokesman.

Both nations have confirmed cases of bird flu and have culled tens of thousands of chickens in an attempt to stamp out the disease. So far, however, neither country has reported any human cases of the deadly virus.

The sides also exchanged information on drug and pharmaceutical administration and cooperation in the field of traditional systems of medicine, such as homeopathy, Sarna said.

The Indian side at Tuesday's talks was led by B. P. Sharma, a joint secretary in the Health and Family Welfare Ministry, while the Pakistani delegation was headed by Mohammad Reza, deputy director-general in the Health Ministry.

New Delhi,Wednesday, AP