The funds are in addition to the 100 mln usd that United Nations experts meeting here this week said it will cost to combat avian influenza among animals over the next decade.
'This is a ballpark figure subject to changes, because the situation is very fluid,' Omi [WHO Pacific region director] told reporters.
The extra 150 mln dollars will cover the 'human aspect' of bird flu, including a response to any outbreak and providing vaccines to try to ward off a pandemic, he said of the figure finalized here this week by WHO officials.
It will also be spent on boosting the resources and skills of countries affected by bird flu, including improving laboratories, developing vaccines, monitoring and public education.
A donor country fundraising conference is expected later in the year. To this date under $10 million has been pledged. The US was expected to contribute some $25 million. Read the full story at Forbes.com.