CANADA, FRANCE TO WORK TOWARD PANDEMIC FLU PREPAREDNESS

Canada's minister of health, Tony Clement, and France's minister of health and solidarity, Xavier Bertrand, have signed a joint declaration of intent that outlines mutual action the two countries plan to undertake in the next four years in areas such as pandemic influenza preparedness.

Other key areas of cooperation include initiatives related to HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections, hepatitis and tuberculosis within vulnerable populations.

To prepare for a possible influenza pandemic, both countries have agreed to exchange information on the preparation and implementation of their response plans, which are in accord with the Ottawa Statement on Global Pandemic Influenza Readiness adopted in October 2005.

The two countries, as member states of the World Health Organization, also agreed to work toward implementation of the new International Health Regulations. Canada has played an active role in the revision of these regulations, which will help countries around the world deal with public health emergencies.