DUSHANBE, May 12, 2009, Asia-Plus — The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) project “STOP AI,” in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Health holds a 3-day national training on May 13-15 for the lead veterinary and human health specialists from the districts subordinate to the center, agriculture and health ministries and other related agencies of Tajikistan, press release issued by the USAID Dushanbe Office said.
The training program focuses on the practical aspects of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) surveillance, biosecurity, and outbreak response on oblast and rayon levels in case of HPAI outbreak.
The Central Asia region has significant trade in poultry with bordering countries including China, Iran, Russia, Pakistan and Afghanistan, all of whom have reported the presence of HPAI H5N1. Outbreaks in poultry in Kazakhstan in 2005 and human deaths in Azerbaijan in March of 2006 highlight the existence of the threat to health, food supply, and incomes in the region.
At the training, specialists will discuss how to establish and enforce the measures on movement control for animals and humans, transportation of the equipment, and laboratory functions in case of HPAI outbreak in accordance with the national program of HPAI H5N1 prevention.
During the upcoming month the STOP AI program, together with the State Veterinary Service of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Health of Tajikistan will also provide this training to the lead veterinary and human health specialists with involvement of the emergency situations experts and other related agencies in all other oblasts of the country.
Avian Influenza preparedness is one of the many areas, supported by the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). USAID is one of the largest donor organizations in the Central Asia, sponsored by one single country. In Tajikistan, its programs help develop economic sector, support health care and social development.
