Margaret Chan Quotes (28 Quotes)


    For the first time in history we can track the evolution of a pandemic in real time. Influenza viruses are notorious for their rapid mutation and unpredictable behaviour.

    H5N1 is primarily an animal disease. However, given its expanding geographical scope and that H5N1 is endemic in some countries, our assessment is that the risk of pandemic is great.

    Based on assessment of all available information and following several expert consultations, I have decided to raise the current level of influenza pandemic alert from phase 4 to phase 5.

    The Chinese government has taken very effective measures, and they are making improvements every month, even every day.

    Buying time will allow us to fast-track pandemic vaccine production. It will allow governments to put in place a host of emergency public health measures that will reduce mortality and morbidity, and social and economic disruption.


    We must understand that when one country is not safe, the world is not safe. Pandemic influenza, by nature, will go around the world, so it is important for us to work as an international community to get a better handle on the issue.

    We have a window of opportunity to prevent a pandemic or at least delay the spread of a pandemic.

    There is a high degree of support for voluntary compliance with the International Health Regulations. It will help countries to build capacity.

    My advice ... is that in selecting fish, perhaps at this juncture, it would be wise to select freshwater fish and other chilled fish from other parts of the world,

    Countries have improved since SARS. They understand the importance of responding and being as prompt and transparent as possible.

    After all it really is all of humanity that is under threat during a pandemic.

    When is the next time We don't have a time frame. I suspect it will likely to be November, if history is anything to go by.

    My argument is, whatever resources you put in place, compared to the possible economic loss in the event of a pandemic, is peanuts.

    I think this is a very strong message coming from the U.S. government,

    All countries should immediately now activate their pandemic preparedness plans. Countries should remain on high alert for unusual outbreaks of influenza-like illness and severe pneumonia.

    We are not in a pandemic situation. It is still an animal disease.

    Time is of the essence. We must act now if we are to have the maximum possible opportunity to contain a pandemic.

    We are taking very drastic actions to reduce the risk of avian influenza to animals and birds,

    For the first time in human history, we have a chance to prepare ourselves for a pandemic before it arrives, ... It is incumbent upon the global community to act now.

    Clearly, countries expressed the wish to have more. But at least we have something to rely upon for the time being.


    For now, bird flu is still very much an animal disease and animal problem, ... If we can really control the animal sector, the risk to humans is low.

    The international community should treat this as a window of opportunity to ramp up preparedness and response.

    While we cannot predict when or if the H5N1 virus might spark a pandemic, we cannot ignore the warning signs. For the first time in human history, we have a chance to prepare ourselves for a pandemic before it arrives.

    That was a time when we were really working together as an international community of academics, politicians, public health experts. Everybody really was so focused,

    Influenza pandemics must be taken seriously, precisely because of their capacity to spread rapidly to every country in the world.

    This change to a higher phase of alert is a signal to governments, to ministries of health and other ministries, to the pharmaceutical industry and the business community that certain actions now should be undertaken with increased urgency and at an accelerated pace.

    In view of the situation in Iraq, I was on the phone talking to the company and they are willing to provide in the order of 7-10,000 treatment courses and we are trying to ship them as soon as possible to the ground.


    More Margaret Chan Quotations (Based on Topics)


    Countries - Time - History - Danger & Risk - Animals - World - Medicine & Medical - Chance - Opportunity - Birds - Place - Hope - Government - Telephones - Business & Commerce - Planning - Academic - Nature - Humanity - View All Margaret Chan Quotations

    Related Authors


    Wyatt Earp - William Hedgcock Webster - Margaret Chan - John Poindexter - John Ashcroft - Jim Garrison - George Schultz - David Axelrod - Caspar Weinberger - Arthur Levitt


Authors (by First Name)

A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - J - K - L - M
N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - X - Y - Z

Other Inspiring Sections