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