1. Avian Influenza

2. Avian Influenza is a common disease in Poultry – BUT H5N1 is a Highly Pathogenic strain of the virus.  Birds die within hours of contamination, especially chicken
Migratory Aspect – mainly in WILD Birds  Difficult to control the Panzootic. Easier to control domestic Birds
Difficult to Diagnose for developing or transition countries – H1, H2 etc. and even identify H5 but to pin down the exact strain one needs FAIR AMOUNT of technology – Tajikistan does not have this.
Looking at the Migratory Routes – Must take into account this are not “fixed”  Birds like Truck Drivers – Migration high consumption of NRJ = Need Food = Stop along Flyway where other Birds are….
Regarding the impact of H5N1 (HPAI)  The “shock wave” on the whole chain of poultry meat production, i.e. from FARM GATE to FORK! In particular for countries with Unstable Food Security Levels  this can be disastrous on Livelihoods.

3. GREEN  Countries with Outbreaks
PINK  Districts with Outbreaks
CA is surrounded.
Info from Afghanistan – Along Balkh River tens of birds reportedly dying (shepherds and farmers have spotted them).
Level of diagnosis can not preclude the presence of AI already…6 birds analysed

4. AI could already be in the country If not it is only a matter of time
Situation is urgent
Time to prepare is shrinking
It’s time to act.
There is still tike to assist the Govt in preparing a realistic and doable plan. (AI Comprehensive Plan MoH and MoA for 13 Mio….and National Programme for AI Control – SVD…1 Mio)

5. Countries in EURO with published preparedness plans
Preparedness Plans are crucial to stop the PANZOOTIC  the Role of Unaffected Countries on the Global Scene
Pandemic Plan 31
Draft or No plan
Source: WHO Tajikistan

6. Situation in Taj  Figures differ by source but approx 3,5 Mio Poultry in the country.
60% or more are in Backyard Farms  In POOREST RURAL HOUSEHOLDS
Red Rectangles – Larger farms - NOT FAR from LARGE TOWNS and RESIDENTIAL AREAS.
 Major Risk is the Shock Wave of a Zoonosis on Livelihoods and Food Security for a large portion of population
 Impact should be considered on overall Chain from FARMGATE to FORK
Actions Taken from Govt Side and FAO/WHO
Sero-surveillance (with negative results through HI method)
Joint MoH and MoA preparedness plan (weak on some aspects and treatment focused)
Small-scale awareness already started (posters, leaflets, TV programmes)
Border control and quarantine rules enforced (in chicken farms as well)
Primary lab equipment for viral indexing (ELISA) but no reagents or AI kits
Coordination and sensitizing workshop in Sept 05

7. FAO / OIE / WHO Global Networks
ECTAD - Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases
GLEWS - Global Early Warning and Response System for Major Animal Diseases, including Zoonoses
Regional Network - of national diagnosis laboratories and epidemio-surveillance for control and prevention of HPAI
OFFLU - Reference Laboratories, Collaborating Centers and expertise groups in influenza virus ,
GLOBALLY FAO VERY ACTIVE – LEADING ORGANISATION JOINTLY WITH WHO AND OIE
A GLOBAL NETWORK IS ESTABLISHED FOR INFORMATION EXCHANGE, KNOWLEDGE DEVELOPMENT AND GLOBAL TRACKING OF THE PROGRESSION OF THE VIRUS
MAGNIFYING GLASS ON THE WHOLE SITUATION  DOWNSIDE LOOKS LIKE OVERREACTION BUT IF TAKEN SERIOUSLY COULD BE UNPRECEDENTED EXPERIENCE IN CONTROLLING A PANDEMIC
 Tajikistan needs to be tide up to this network

8. FAO Global Programme 4 COMPONENTS
1. Coordinate and manage the international response, at the global and regional level.
2. Provide support to infected countries in their efforts to control and eradicate the disease.
3. Assist unaffected countries in their efforts to be prepared to face an incursion of the disease.
4. Provide resources to enable support for a rapid response, should new countries become infected.
FAO GLOBAL PROGAMME
“FAO’s goal is to coordinate and manage, in collaboration with OIE, the international effort in assisting countries to control and ultimately eradicate avian influenza from the poultry producing sectors and to prepare non-infected countries for a rapid detection of, and response to, incursions of the disease.”
Component 3
“The overall goal is to minimise extension of the current avian influenza panzootic, by ensuring that countries at risk have the capacity to rapidly detect and control outbreaks of the disease.”
Objective
“To assist countries at risk in improving their early detection and early response capacity to highly pathogenic avian influenza.”

9. COMPONENT 3 – UNAFFECTED COUNTRIES
FAO Global Programme
COMPONENT 3 – UNAFFECTED COUNTRIES
Activities
1. Project management
2. Risk assessment
3. Surveillance
4. National disease preparedness plans
5. Laboratory support
6. Provision of disease control equipment and supplies
7. Public awareness and technical information
8. Capacity building – upgrading of veterinary services
9. Research
WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE!
TOWARDS THIS:
 Risk Assessment jointly with WHO through possible EU Funds – small budget for advisory and technical assistance to design and adjust the government plans.
 Capacity Building (equipment + training) – SWISS Government Contributed to FAO’s Overall Programme on AI – with $ for the Component on Regional Support for CA including AFGH. Start Date April FAO Tajikistan has already proposed activities for this project.
In other words this will Help towards
Setup a FAO AI Unit, linked to ECTAD to liaise with government and donors
Establish Sero-monitoring Network
Upgrade Diagnostic Facilities
Impart field and lab staff training
Develop Awareness Schemes regarding biosecurity and vaccination measures.
Formulate National Contingency Plan for AI.
 To implement this FAO can rely on:
500 VFUs, with nationwide coverage
11 Veterinary bases with computer equipment and databases
FAO Transboundary Animal Disease Project covering the CA Region – in Tajikistan National Epidemiologist
FAO in livestock in Tajikistan since 1999
5 ongoing projects including zoonosis combat (Brucellosis, PPR)

10. No Compensation Plan  Major Constraint
Not an issue Targeted by any of the upcoming activities and actions

11. WHY COMPENSATE? Encourage people to report disease
Encourage presenting animals and birds for culling
Government responsibility
Beyond Compensation…
Provide the “safety net” for people waiting to restock,
i.e. insurance or livelihood support
CAUTION:
To not encourage to obtain compensation through unnecessary risk taking by population  Need a good system of diagnosis
Encourage people to present animals and birds for culling instead of selling them when they are sick
Government responsibility. If the Government destroys the private assets of citizens for public purposes it should compensate them

12. Additional Information

13. Thank you