discussions on smallpox eradication
16 May 2006
An agreement was reached at the World Health Assembly (WHA) in Geneva today
on the date for the finalisation of the review of the results of the research
currently being undertaken on the variola virus. This research follows a
decision adopted by the World Health Assembly 26 years ago, which declared
eradication of smallpox.
South Africa was mandated by the 46 African countries to present the
position of the African Region on the resolution that was being considered by
the Assembly. The mandate followed South Africa's proposal to the African
Region to agree to 2010 as the date for the consideration of the review
report.
South Africa had argued that since a lot of progress had been made in
getting other Regions to agree to transparent processes of supervision by the
World Health Organisation (WHO) of the variola stocks being kept in two
countries, the United States of America and the Russian Federation and to the
inclusion of experts from developing countries in the review teams, it was no
longer necessary for the African Region to insist on the date of 2009 for the
review when all other Regions had already moved to 2010.
Following South Africa's intervention, it therefore became easy for the WHA
to adopt 2010 for the consideration of the review report, so that the 64th WHA
may reach global consensus on the timing of the destruction of existing variola
virus stocks.
Director-General of the Department of Health of South Africa, Mr Thami
Mseleku, said during his intervention: "The African region wishes to emphasise
that the WHO should ensure that the review is wide ranging and covers all
elements of the research being conducted, including gaining assurance that no
country keeps any stocks without the knowledge of the WHO."
Enquiries:
Charity Bhengu
Media Liaison Officer
Tel: (012) 312 0420
Fax: (012) 325 5526
Cell: 083 679 7424
E-mail: bhengu@health.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Health
16 May 2007
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