마이클 리빗 미국 보건후생장관은 조류독감의 유럽 전파에 대해 지나치게 놀라거나 경고를 발할 이유는 없다고 말했습니다.
리빗 장관은 조류독감 바이러스가 사육 가금류에서 철새들에게 전달될 것이라는 가정은 오랫동안 해온 일이었다면서 조류독감이 더욱 번지는 것은 불가피하다고 말했습니다.
조류독감이 발생한 동남아시아 방문을 마치고 갓 돌아온 리빗 장관은 아시아 국가들이 조류독감을 감시하고 차단하려는 노력에 협력할 것으로 낙관한다고 말했습니다.
(영문)
The U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services says there is no reason for undue alarm or surprise that bird flu has spread to Europe.
Michael Leavitt said Friday that it has long been assumed that the virus would jump from farm-yard poultry to migratory birds and said it will inevitably spread farther.
After returning from a tour of Southeast Asia to collect facts about the virus, he said he is optimistic Asian countries will cooperate in efforts to monitor and contain the disease. Mr. Leavitt said the countries have already established dependable channels to share information.
U.S. officials say the United States has already committed $38 million dollars to international efforts to fight the virus, including monitoring wild-bird movements and helping foreign governments to make plans and train health workers.