PHILIPPINES AVIAN INFLUENZA UPDATE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 003803 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR UNDER SECRETARY PDOBRIANSKY STATE FOR AMBASSADOR JLANGE STATE FOR OES/IHA FOR JKAUFMANN, DSINGER AND RDALEY STATE FOR INR/EAP FOR JSTROTZ STATE PASS USDA/FAS/ICD FOR ROSENBLUM STATE PASS USDA/FAS/DL&P FOR WETZEL STATE PASS USDA/FAS/ITP/AA FOR SHEIK STATE PASS USDA/FAS/FAA FOR YOUNG STATE PASS USDA/APHIS/IS FOR HOFFMAN STATE PASS USDA/APHIS/VS FOR DUVERNOY STATE PASS USDA/ARS/SEPRL FOR SUAREZ STATE PASS USAID FOR DCARROLL AND ACLEMENTS BANGKOK FOR REO JAMES WALLER CIA FOR NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE COUNCIL NIO/EA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO SENV EAGR EAID PREL RP SUBJECT: PHILIPPINES AVIAN INFLUENZA UPDATE MANILA 00003803 001.2 OF 002 -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. There continues to be no evidence of AI in the Philippines. Post continues to monitor the situation within the country and the region, coordinates with other donors, and provides technical assistance to the GRP in four key areas: a) pandemic preparedness planning, b) mass communication and education campaigns, c) piloting of early warning systems at the community level in select areas, and d) leveraging private sector resources for preparedness efforts. End Summary. -------------- AI Preparedness Activities -------------- ¶2. The National AI Task Force (NAITF),led by the Department of Health and Department of Agriculture/Bureau of Animal Industries (DA/BAI),completed a series of eight workshops from April to July 2006 to develop Preparedness and Response Plans in 97 target municipalities spread through 37 Provinces in critical areas based on migratory bird fly-way zones. NAITF presented the plans at a forum attended by Provincial Governors and Administrators on August 31, 2006. The forum resulted in a draft resolution enjoining all provinces to set in motion integrated animal and human preparedness and response plans for AI. The draft resolution will be ratified by the League of Provinces of the Philippines to secure local level commitment for testing and diagnosis, public information campaigns, training and budget support to outbreak response measures. ¶3. Community-level information, education and communication (IEC) campaigns on prevention practices targeting local authorities and the general public, with special attention to backyard poultry owners, are being implemented in the identified high risk areas, including border provinces in Mindanao that trade heavily with H5N1 endemic countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia. IEC materials have been translated into five local dialects including three local dialects in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to reach an estimated population of over four million people in the critical areas. ¶4. The NAITF, with technical support from USAID-supported NGOs, CARE/Philippines and ACDI/VOCA, is developing early warning systems to enable high-risk communities manage the risks associated with bird flu at the barangay (neighborhood) level. Two community-level tabletop simulation exercises involving community and municipal level officers have occurred in a province in Mindanao with critical wetlands areas. The tabletop exercises are a significant milestone in developing a reliable and functional reporting system at the community level. The simulations also enabled the DOH and DA to map out initial responses of the community such as contact tracing and identification of possible quarantine areas. ¶5. The Avian and Pandemic influenza Network (AI Network),composed of civil society and private organizations, have started training programs and public information activities. A consultation/ planning workshop is planned in mid September to prioritize financing gaps and to identify areas for public-private partnership. -------------- MANILA 00003803 002.2 OF 002 Other donor support -------------- ¶6. More recent efforts from other donors include assistance from New Zealand and the Japan Trust Fund through the Food and Agricultural Organization for strengthening laboratories and testing and diagnostic capacities. New Zealand has supported hygiene training of school teachers and activities to leverage the contribution of civil society organizations. The Australian Agency for International Development has also provided assistance to strengthen hospital preparedness for pandemic influenza including commodity support. The Asian Development Bank is currently financing a project to improve epidemiological surveillance. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶7. Local government units in the Philippines, with guidance from their national government counterparts, have given substantive effort to formulate AI preparedness plans. The accomplishments to date will not be sustained without continued advocacy and technical support especially in promoting awareness, and ensuring standards and readiness at all levels. Continued assistance from the US Government is critical to leverage and mobilize required in-country resources for the plans to be implemented effectively. JONES