GOSL LAUNCHES AVIAN INFLUENZA NATIONAL ACTION PLAN

UNCLAS FREETOWN 000579

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/W, AF/EPS
AID FOR AFR, OFDA
ACCRA FOR AID - WARP
DAKAR FOR AID - WARP, OFDA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KFLU SENV ETRD EAID AMED CASC SL
SUBJECT: GOSL LAUNCHES AVIAN INFLUENZA NATIONAL ACTION PLAN



1. Summary: On July 13, EmbOff attended the Avian Influenza
National Action Plan launch hosted by the newly created
Sierra Leone Avian Influenza Secretariat. The Secretariat
presented the National Action Plan, which includes strategies
for prevention, monitoring, and response to an audience of
poultry producers, government officials and NGO
representatives. The secretariat put forward a request for
$1.4 million and FAO committed to financial and logistic
support. An offer of USAID training and technical assistance
was welcomed. The Office of National Security has been doing
Avian Influenza (AI) contingency planning with the limited
means available. However, with a non-functioning
agricultural extension service, the GoSL has little ability
to detect AI. End Summary.


2. On July 13, The GoSL launched its Avian Influenza
National Action Plan before an audience of 200 local poultry
producers, government officials, and NGO representatives.
Veterinarian and member of the Avian Influenza Technical
Committee Dr. John Kamara detailed the challenges, explaining
that Sierra Leone is seriously lacking in technical resources
and personnel needed to monitor and evaluate the disease. He
highlighted GoSL efforts to address the AI, including the
rehabilitation of a veterinary laboratory in Freetown, but
requested support from the international community for
training and technical assistance. The committee proposed a
budged of $1,383,691 to fund the AI Secretariat activities.
Finally, Kamara appealed to local poultry producers to be
patient during the current ban on chicken imports, which, he
assured the audience, would be lifted as soon as the
technical committee determined it was safe. (Note: Local
chicken producers depend on imported chicks or eggs which are
banned. End Note.)


3. UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) offered its
assistance to the new AI Secretariat. Though there was no
discussion of proposed budget, FAO did commit to financial
and logistic support. In brief remarks at the AI National
Action Plan launch ceremony, EmbOff outlined USG support via
USAID technical training and supplies, which will be
delivered in the upcoming months.


4. Comment: The GoSL has expressed concern over the
potential occurrence of AI in country. The local press has
been reporting on AI in the region and reported the launch of
the National Action Plan. There has been no confirmed AI in
Sierra Leone up to this point, but the GoSL agricultural
extension services are dysfunctional, leaving the GoSL little
prepared to detect and contain an AI outbreak. The Office of
National Security has been reasonably proactive, given the
number of other immediate priorities, like the ongoing water
shortage in Freetown. GoSL officials welcome assistance from
the USG and are open to cooperative efforts to stave off an
AI outbreak. End Comment
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