The priority now must be to address the urgent needs over the next six months. OIE and FAO have identified the key priorities as evaluating and strengthening veterinary services, laboratory and surveillance capacity in affected countries and those most at risk.

If we can reduce the presence of the virus, we will reduce the probability of a human pandemic.

We need to deal with this together. . . . If one country is inadequately prepared, it is a threat to every other country.

The massive commitment by the World Bank should allow countries affected or at risk to benefit from effective veterinary services.

The disease probably arrived in Siberia from Asia through wild birds and there's no doubt that birds from there fly to Europe.

Hours count. If you don't act within 48 hours, the virus can spread and the costs multiply by thousands.

I urge you all to remember that we are talking about an international public good.