Asia well-prepared to avoid new flu, ADB's Kuroda says

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NUSA DUA, Indonesia, May 5 Kyodo -
Asian Development Bank chief Haruhiko Kuroda said Tuesday he feels ''relatively
comfortable'' with the preparedness of Asian countries in dealing with the
spread of the new type of influenza.
''At this moment, fortunately, Asia is not so much affected by this new
influenza (and) if the situation becomes more serious in the Asia-Pacific, we
will certainly provide necessary financial or technical assistance to affected
countries,'' Kuroda told a press conference at the end of the 42nd ADB annual
meeting on Indonesia's Bali Island.
''But, Asian countries are very much aware of this communicable disease...They
have imposed various precautions and measures to prevent the spread of the new
influenza,'' he added.
According to Kuroda, if the influenza spreads to Asia it will certainly affect
the economies of countries in the region with particularly the tourism and
aviation industries, as well as some other sectors, being hit.
He added, however, the past experiences of SARS and bird flu have made the
governments and people in Asia well-prepared to avoid as much as possible the
spread of influenza to their countries.
And, ''as shown by records of regional governments which have already taken
various fiscal stimulus measures to avoid the current recession becoming the
worst recession in their economies, I think I'm relatively comfortable'' with
their preparedness, he said.
''So, you have to be alert and prudent, but so far, the governments have
reacted very appropriately and they have ability to continue to do so,'' Kuroda
said.
According to World Health Organization data as of Tuesday, 21 countries have
reported 1,124 cases of the new influenza A (H1N1) infection, only 26 of the
cases fatal.
==Kyodo