World Health Organisation (WHO) regional director for the Western Pacific Shigeru Omi, has spoken highly of Vietnam's efforts to contain bird flu, stressing that Vietnam has experience in fighting the epidemic and is able to share its experience with other affected countries.

In an interview granted to a Vietnam News Agency reporter on the sidelines of the international conference on bird flu, held in Tokyo on January 12 and 13, he expressed his hope that with the government's consistent efforts, Vietnam will soon be successful in containing the disease.

At the conference, delegates adopted a statement calling on countries to further enhance co-operation in preventing bird flu.

Switzerland-based medicine producer Roche pledged to provide more antiviral medicine to Asia. The pharmaceutical firm has been in discussions with the WHO on setting up a stockpile of antiviral medicine in Asia.

About 500 world leaders and officials are expected to gather in Beijing, China, next week to discuss aid distribution. About US$1.2-1.5 billion is expected to be committed at the meeting to help countries and multinational organisations carry out action plans against the disease.

VNA