AVIAN INFLUENZA CONFERENCE AIMS TO STRENGTHEN CENTRAL

UNCLAS ASTANA 000721 SIPDIS SCA/CEN FOR M. O'MARA AIAG FOR H. SUMMERS DEPT PASS TO USAID SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV EAGR TBIO KFLU KZ SUBJECT: AVIAN INFLUENZA CONFERENCE AIMS TO STRENGTHEN CENTRAL ASIA'S PREPAREDNESS ¶1. Summary: On December 4-6 in Almaty, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID),through its partners the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Winrock International, will hold a regional conference on technical aspects of Avian Influenza surveillance. The goal of the conference is to operationalize country-specific influenza pandemic preparedness plans by developing practical guidelines for epidemiology, laboratory, health care, and veterinary practices. Close to 150 participants, primarily from the five Central Asian nations, will participate, and Ambassador Ordway will open the conference. End summary. ¶2. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through its partners the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Winrock International, will host in Almaty, Kazakhstan an Avian Influenza conference focused on surveillance and response practices in Central Asia. Currently, all of the Central Asian nations have developed National Pandemic Preparedness Plans, although they vary greatly in detail. The conference hopes to assist Central Asian experts to develop the methodological procedures needed for routine influenza surveillance practices, detection, and containment of an outbreak. The conference organizers believe that with such developed guidelines the Central Asian nations will be better prepared to respond promptly and adequately should an outbreak/epidemic occur. ¶3. The three day conference will bring together over 100 technical experts working under Ministries of Health and Ministries of Agriculture in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. These laboratory specialists, clinicians, veterinarians, and epidemiologists will review, discuss, and revise area-specific guidelines. CDC has also invited international experts to disseminate information and to make presentations during working group sessions. The organizers expect that these expert group meetings will help spur each country to strengthen its surveillance and preparedness guidelines. ¶4. The conference is part of broader USG efforts to assist the Central Asian nations with Avian Influenza preparedness. USAID is working with the governments of Central Asia to prevent the spread of Avian Influenza among animals and to help prepare for a possible human pandemic. Winrock International and CDC will implement regional programs - Winrock focusing on communications and veterinary issues, and the CDC on preparing for surveillance and response to a human pandemic. ¶5. Comment: Central Asian countries are located on main wild bird flyways from South-East Asia where Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza is endemic. Recent poultry outbreaks in Kazakhstan and Russia have demonstrated the threat posed to Central Asia. The large delegations scheduled to participate from the Central Asian states represent a hopeful sign of their commitment to prevent and prepare for pandemic influenza. Post will report on the results of the conference. End comment. ORDWAY