Mexico readies for intl flu summit

Mexico: Mexico readies for the celebration of a meeting on lessons learned from the Influenza A-H1N1 virus, where representatives from 50 countries will debate tools to prevent, limit and mitigate the pandemic.

The Moon Palace Hotel will welcome participants in the summit, starting July 1 through 3.

Miguel Angel Lezama, general director of the National Epidemiological Surveillance Center, told Prensa Latina the country expects to exchange with other nations on epidemiology of the new virus and the most effective control measures.

The event will also generate knowledge in the mitigation of the epidemic, so it can be controlled at short term, the official said.

Health Secretary Jose Angel Cordova called for governments and international community to take key decisions on the design, production, distribution and strategic reserve of a flu vaccine.

Cordova also urged to analyze the need of the adequate use of antiviral medicines, the epidemiological surveillance during the time the pandemic lasts, arrangements for the seasonal influenza in the northern hemisphere, and continue the scientific studies on the evolutionary and pathogenic biology.

The meeting, to be opened July 2 by the Republic President Felipe Calderon, will discuss issues like risk communication, vaccination, retroviral treatment, medical and public health speeches in different contexts, strategic reserve, and sanitary regulation.

World Health Organization general director Margaret Chan, Pan-American Health Organization general director Mirta Roses, and members from seven international entities will also attend the summit.

Mexico, Prensa Latina