Since 2006, H5N1 has been eliminated in most of the 60 affected countries, but it remains endemic in China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Bangladesh, India, and Egypt, the report says.

The report, entitled "Approaches to Controlling, Preventing and Eliminating H5N1 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Endemic Countries", notes that the spread of the virus and the poor quality of veterinary and animal production services are among major obstacles to elimination efforts.

The FAO proposes these countries co-ordinate efforts to detect the outbreaks, collect and analyses related information, prevent the epidemics from spreading, and minimize risks in five years’ time in order to expel it in the following five years.

The H5N1 virus may cause death if it is transmitted to humans, says FAO, adding that it has claimed 320 lives since 2003.