Regional Avian Influenza Program
BACKGROUND
Before 1997, there was no evidence that influenza A virus subtype H5N1 could infect humans and potentially cause fatalities. However, in 1997 an outbreak of influenza in Hong Kong was identified, infecting eighteen and killing six. The virus resurfaced in December 2003 in Vietnam and has in the intervening three years killed millions of domestic fowl in Asia (more than 300 million have been culled), spread beyond Asia, and resulted in a global total of 256 persons infected with H5N1 with 151 attributed deaths (WHO: October 16, 2006). Over 80% of the animal H5N1 outbreaks and 85% of human infections with H5N1 have occurred in South-East Asia.
In support of the President’s Avian Influenza Initiative, in FY05 and FY06 the RDM/A committed over $18.605 million for the prevention and control of animal and human influenza (AHI) in the Greater Mekong region, specifically in China, Laos, Vietnam, and Burma. However, it is clear by the nature of how H5N1 travels throughout the region and the world that there is a need to strengthen preparedness, surveillance, and control in all countries. RDM/A funding therefore supports country- and regional-level activities and the sharing of lessons learned thus far through enhancing South-to-South cooperation.
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION
The goal of USAID’s avian influenza activities is to successfully contain the H5N1 virus within the animal population by 2008. Specifically the AHI project aims to:
- Strengthen national and regional preparedness, planning, and multi-sectoral coordination.
- Strengthen capacity for early detection and early warning of AI outbreaks and human influenza cases through national surveillance system strengthening and development of community-based field surveillance
- Enhance capacity for rapid and effective response to outbreaks of AI and cases of human influenza
- Promote public awareness and education on AHI
The ability of USAID to bring quick and flexible funding to implementing partners in the region has made a significant effect on the ability of governments to develop and implement plans to prevent and control AHI. The following is a sampling of project activities:
Animal Health
- FAO provided technical assistance in strategy development, training and supplies to the national vaccination campaign in Vietnam which has covered over 170 million chickens and 79 million ducks. Evaluation of the campaign, as well as operational research on duck vaccine dosing, is ongoing.
- Active animal disease surveillance is being established at county-level in three target provinces in Western China (Tibet, Qinghai, Xiangjiang), including the upgrading of existing diagnostic laboratory capacity and training in epidemiology and diagnostics.
- Cross-sectoral surveillance and rapid response teams at central and local levels in Burma are being trained in general epidemiological principles, field investigation, disease reporting, and outbreak containment, with a field simulation exercise for outbreak containment taking place in February 2007.
Human Health
- Table-top simulation exercises are being conducted in cross-border provinces, with participation from Thai, Laotian, and Cambodian local governments, to coordinate responses to pandemic influenza and other infectious disease outbreaks.
- USAID is supporting the development of regional pandemic contingency plans, a training needs assessment for pandemic preparedness, and a review of regional institutional and policy frameworks through ASEAN.
- An innovative ‘healthy markets’ project is being piloted in five provinces of Laos to engage the community in designing healthier markets, improving infrastructure and equipment, and providing necessary training to employees and users.
Cross-Cutting
- USAID is developing a regional monitoring and evaluation strategic framework in coordination with UN agencies, other implementing partners and other donors.
PARTNERS
USAID/RDMA’s partners include U.S. government agencies (USDA, HHS, Voice of America), UN agencies (FAO, WHO), and non-governmental organizations (Academy for Educational Development, Abt Associates, CARE, Kenan Institute of Asia, International Rescue Committee, and the US Pharmacopeia).
ACHIEVEMENTS
Animal and human influenza achievements include:
- Approximately 7,000 animal health staff and volunteers in the region have been trained in surveillance to detect AI outbreaks.
- Working through mass organizations, such as Women’s Unions, and NGOs, behavioral change campaigns in Vietnam and Laos have trained over 10,000 backyard farmers, media, and animal and human health workers in the basics of AHI, its control and prevention.
- Over 300,000 booklets, 400,000 posters, 7 radio spots, and 8 TV spots have been developed and disseminated in Vietnam and/or Laos regarding safe poultry practices.
- Over 20,000 personal protective equipment (PPE) sets have been distributed to Ministries of Agriculture and Health throughout the region.
- Baseline studies on AI knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of backyard poultry farmers were conducted in Laos and Vietnam (as well as Cambodia and Indonesia through their missions) to provide information for development of public awareness materials and allow for evaluation of behavior change communication activities.
CONTACT
Dr. John Macarthur
Office of Public Health
U.S. Agency for International Development, RDMA
GPF Witthayu Tower A
93/1 Wireless Road
Bangkok 10330 Thailand
Office: (66-2) 263-7404
Fax: (66-2) 263-7499
E-mail: jmacarthur@usaid.gov FURTHER READING
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