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ADB urges Asia to work together against A/H1N1 flu

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-05-05 20:23

BALI - All countries must be vigilant and work together to minimize risks and costs of influenza A/H1N1 in human and economic terms, said Haruhiko Kuroda, President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Tuesday.

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"The spread of diseases continues to challenge all nations. It remains to be seen how the recent influenza outbreak will further affect the region," Kuroda said in his closing statement of the ADB annual meeting.

The 42nd Annual Meeting of ADB's Board of Governors ended Tuesday in Bali, Indonesia.

"At this moment, Asia is not so much affected by this new influenza," said Kuroda. "If situation becomes more serious, we will provide financial and technical assistance."

So far, nine confirmed cases of influenza A/H1N1 have been reported in the Asia-Pacific region -- two from South Korea, one from China's Hong Kong and six from New Zealand.