Perception of Avian Flu and Work of Animal Health Workers (AHWs), Agricultural Extension Officers (AEOs) and Community Leaders (CLs) February 22, 2006 Prepared and presented by Quoc Hoang Dinh & Nguyen Diep Hoa

Objectives 1.To see how AHWs, AEOs and CLs work and collaborate to wipe out the AI disease; 2.To identify the knowledge and perception of AHWs, AEOs and CLs on AI; 3.To find out difficulties in dealing with AI problems in the locality; 4.To listen to AHWs’, AEOs’ and CLs’ recommendations for AI elimination.

Poultry keepers usually ask for advice from AHWs, AEOs, and support from CLs to overcome the AI. Advice and support from them are very important for farmers. Why AHWs, AEOs and CLs?

Field research carried out from December 2005 to January 2006 Data collected by using open conversation and a standardized questionnaire Information analyzed by using descriptive analysis Data and Methodology IntervieweeTien Giang (person) Bac Ninh (person) AHWs1510 AEOs015 CLs010

What’s the main information and knowledge source on AI? AHWs: Nearly all AHWs were trained on AI information and knowledge. Training courses were mainly carried out in 2005, but several in Trainings were usually short, 1-3days, and mostly organized by Provincial VET Department (Tien Giang) and District VET Office (Bac Ninh). These trainings provided AI information and guidance for action in dealing with AI. However, the majority of interviewed AHWs wanted more trainings on AI, particularly for AI recognition.

What’s the main information and knowledge source on AI? (con’t) AEOs: Only 80% AEOs have been trained on AI. Many of them were trained in Most trainings lasted for one day and a few training courses lasted for half a day; they considered training was too short. Topics for training: AI information, knowledge and communication skills to convey instructions to farmers in dealing with AI problem. Thus they were trained about more topics in less time than AHWs. Most of AEOs are not satisfied with the knowledge that they were given and want to be trained more on AI.

What problems and possible solutions did AHWs report? AHWs ProblemProposed solutions Bad weather; Farmers don’t bring poultry to vaccinating places; Farmers let their poultry free and hard to collect them for vaccinating; Lack of man power; Lack of protective equipments. Increase allowance for travelling, especially in bad weather; Encourage farmers to cooperate Mobilize volunteers. Provide equipments

What problems and possible solutions did AHWs propose? AHWs ProblemProposed solutions Financial: Financial assistance does not come in time (e.g. late money for culling and compensating). Tiny and late payment for AHWs More and in time payment Support/Coordination: Farmers unwilling to have poultry vaccinated. Insufficient support to VET from involved agencies. Set up a strong regulation; Better coordination from the top; Better collaboration between involved agencies.

What problems and possible solutions did AEOs propose? AEOs ProblemsProposed solutions Technical: Not able to diagnose AI Feeling unconfident about AI knowledge More trainings Financial: Tiny and late payment More and in time payment Support/Coordination: Farmers unwilling to have poultry vaccinated. Insufficient support to VET from involved agencies. Set up a strong regulation Better collaboration between involved agencies.

Recommendations that are possible to implement: Clean and disinfect the environment regularly during outbreaks; Have poultry vaccinated (free of charge); Report sick or dead animals to AHWs/AEOs or relevant persons immediately (although a small number of farmers don’t want to report). Stop buying new animals during AI outbreaks; Do not eat poultry meat if unsure of its origin and its health; do not eat raw blood. Recommendations of AHWs and AEOs for farmers

Recommendations that may be difficult to implement: Separation of different poultry and animals it requires capital, land, and separate food sources for the different animals. Wear special clothes when contacting poultry habit and requires investment. Culling infected poultry or poultry near the outbreak center small compensation & farmers still hope they’re fine. Collect poultry feces to compost poultry run free, so difficult to collect

CLs call for support Disinfectants should be provided to clean and disinfect the environment regularly, not only during outbreaks; Train those poultry holders who raise a big number of poultry on AI; Assist those who have poultry culled to restock their poultry flocks by providing capital with low interest, or providing technical assistance, etc; Promulgate relevant regulations about raising poultry in places far from residences; Avoid mass media messages that raise fear (that possibly have caused appetite loss, poultry market failure, etc); Issue strong and clear regulations related to AI problem.

Thank You for Your Attention