U.N. chief says flu must not prompt travel bans

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Reactions to the World Health Organization's declaration of a flu pandemic must be grounded in science and avoid arbitrary limits on trade and travel, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said on Thursday.

"We must guard against rash and discriminatory actions such as travel bans or trade restrictions," Ban told a news conference at U.N. headquarters. "Our response to any pandemic must be grounded in science."

The WHO declared the first flu pandemic of the 21st century on Thursday, urging countries to shore up defenses against the virus which is "not stoppable" but has proved mainly mild so far.

Ban stressed the declaration was a formal statement about the geographic spread of disease, adding: "It is not in itself a cause for alarm."

He said while the virus had so far proved not as severe as feared, the world must be watchful, particularly as it spreads to poorer countries with less developed health systems and as the southern hemisphere enters the flu season.

"We will ... work with national governments and the World Health Organization to ensure that our response is as well-coordinated and as effective as possible," he said.

He called for global solidarity, adding that virus samples and other information about the disease must be widely and openly shared.

Ban said he would convene a meeting of his Influenza Steering Committee on Monday to map out the next steps.

(Editing by Eric Walsh)