Costs divide rich, poor countries ahead of WHO pandemic treaty talks

FILE PHOTO: People stand in a queue to receive food aid, during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak at the Itireleng informal settlement, near Laudium suburb in Pretoria, South Africa, May 20, 2020. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo

LONDON (Reuters) - Health officials from around the world, as they gather to discuss a treaty addressing pandemic prevention next week, are struggling to agree on funding for developing countries and measures to thwart jumps by pathogens from animals into humans.

The meeting, starting in Geneva on Monday, is part of ongoing negotiations by the decision-making body of the World Health Organization to tackle pandemic threats in a legally binding accord. Representatives from as many as 194 member countries could take part.