We are all concerned about the potential impact of H5N1 should it arrive in our region. We are all keenly aware of the need to coordinate our efforts to ensure they are as effective as possible.

The more it spreads in birds internationally, the more opportunities it has to interact with animal and human hosts, increasing the chances it could evolve into a human pandemic virus. No one knows if this will happen, or when, so it is critical to prepare for a potential human flu pandemic at the same time that we are working to prevent the spread of avian flu in birds.

As long as H5N1 remains a bird virus, the threat to human health is not grave. But influenza viruses change constantly, and the danger is that, in the future, it could evolve into a virus that is easily transmissible among humans.

This is the most inequitable region in the world.

Very little or none of this has gone to Latin America and the Caribbean.

The potential is huge. AFM started as a topography tool and has exploded to many more uses since. I'm sure people will find all sorts of uses for FIRAT that I haven't imagined.