Singapore says bird flu has now reached endemic proportions in the region.

Quoting scientific evidence, Minister of State for Defence and National Development Cedric Foo says overcoming the H5N1 virus that causes bird flu is the single most pressing agricultural and public health issue facing the region.

Mr Foo, speaking in Singapore at the first meeting of the Asean taskforce for the control of bird flu, said the virus continues to be a major threat in the Asean region.

It has devastating impact on public health, poultry production, trade and economic development.

Mr Foo highlighted that a coordinated regional approach to prevent, control and eradicate bird flu is crucial to overcome this threat.

He is encouraged that Asean is not fighting this threat alone.

He welcomed involvement of international organisations and experts in this battle.

They include representatives from the World Organisation on Animal Health, World Health Organisation and the Food and Agriculture Organisation.

They will help the Asean taskforce on bird flu to establish concrete measures and protocols to deal with the threat.

Mr Foo said multilateral coordination among Asean states and other regional countries and international organisations is critical to the risk management of the bird flu virus.