WASHINGTON – The HSUS, the largest U.S. animal protection organization, is asking the World Health Organization (WHO) to identify cockfighting activities as a significant means of transmitting avian influenza in Southeast Asia.

In a letter sent today to Dr. Lee Jong-wook, director-general of the WHO, HSUS President Wayne Pacelle asks the agency to "call on all nations impacted by the avian influenza virus to actively combat cockfighting activities in their country as a critically necessary part of addressing this deadly disease."

Bird flu has ravaged the poultry industry in Asia and killed 45 people from Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia since the outbreak surfaced last year. Experts believe several children in Asia have already died from bird flu as a result of exposure through cockfighting.  

"We believe cockfighting deserves the WHO's immediate attention because of extensive evidence that the transport of birds for this cruel practice has been a key factor in the spread of the avian flu across Southeast Asia," wrote Pacelle.  "Birds transported and used for fighting matches are uniquely capable of spreading deadly viruses like avian influenza."

Reasons for concern cited in the letter include:

• Rampant cockfighting in the countries hardest hit by avian flu outbreaks - Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia.
• An estimate by the Thai Cockfighting Association that there are 30 million fighting birds in Thailand and reports that diseased birds from Thailand are being brought to other countries for fights.
• Cockfighting practices that encourage disease transmission, such as moving birds around to fight in different locations, evasion of government oversight, and close contact between people and birds.

Cockfighting is banned in the United States, except in Louisiana and New Mexico.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Chicken Council have endorsed federal legislation to strengthen penalties for animal fighting, endorsements made in large part because of the connection between cockfighting and diseases such as avian flu.

The Humane Society of the United States has more than 8.5 million members and constituents. The non-profit organization is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals and equine protection, disaster preparedness and response, wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research and farm animals and sustainable agriculture. The HSUS protects all animals through legislation, litigation, investigation, education, advocacy and fieldwork. The group is based in Washington, DC and has numerous field representatives across the country.