Avian flu continues as a threat in Asia with cases of new human infection being reported. The disease causes significant economic loss and human and animal deaths, while affecting the livelihood of the rural poor, with governments culling millions of birds and poultry. ADB has committed $69 million since January 2006 to battle the disease ($20 million has been disbursed). Working closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), ADB aims to control the spread of avian flu and other communicable diseases (such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome [SARS]) thru procurement of equipment and supplies, training, monitoring and screening, and other public health system capacity needs.
