All nations should vigorously cooperate in an effort to stem the spread of the new A/H1N1 flu virus, says UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Ban's call Monday for global cooperation and help for the developing nations that can't fight the outbreak alone makes sense because viruses respect no borders as they spread around the world.

Not a single country can remain immune from the threat in today's interdependent world because international exchanges of personnel and commodities are taking place every minute thanks to modern transportation.

Curbing the spread of the A/H1N1 flu virus, just like dealing with the world financial crisis, is no longer the business of one certain country. It, instead, has become a common task for all nations in the world.

Countries differ greatly in their levels of economic and technological development and thus their epidemic control capacity. But with the frequent movement of people and goods around the world, vulnerability to the never-seen-before virus in one country may be translated into a global loss for all.

Therefore, only through concerted efforts, with shared information and the expertise to develop effective vaccines, can the international community quickly reign in the virus.

Cooperation is needed in making known to the public just what the situation is concerning the epidemic. Coordinated aid and joint scientific research are also needed.

What is needed the most now, however, is the joint development of a vaccine against the new flu.

When SARS broke out in 2003, the virus was promptly diagnosed. That effort was hailed by the World Health Organization as a model of international cooperation on scientific research.

That experience should serve now as a reminder of how countries can unite their most advanced research forces in order to make a scientific breakthrough in the spirit of humanitarianism and mutual help.

In the face of the threatening epidemic, governments and individuals should shoulder their share of the responsibilities in dealing with the situation.

It is advisable, too, that the multinational pharmaceutical companies help by suspending the pursuit of profits for the benefit of humanity during this life-and-death battle.

The development of human civilization has resulted in unprecedented interdependence among countries. That interdependence calls for the international community to build a more advanced platform of cooperation and communication.

To deal with such challenges as the financial crisis, climate change and now the A/H1N1 virus, nations must cooperate with each other. As Ban noted in late April, in the face of such a grave threat as the flu epidemic, no country can deal with it alone. The world must stay united in fighting the menace.

(Xinhua News Agency May 6, 2009)