Attendees of a global forum on highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) put their minds together and established six ways that governmental entities around the world can aid with the rapid response to HPAI.
During the three-day forum, “Tackling High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Together,” hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, attendees broke out into groups on the afternoon of September 10, and on the following morning, Gary Flory, founder of Global Outbreak Solutions, read some of the conclusions reached by the groups.
One overview presented by Flory dealt with governments and what they can do to ensure a rapid response. Those include:
1. Rapid access to funding
When we have an outbreak, that’s not the time to go searching for funding for response to an outbreak,” Flory explained. “Time is of the essence.”
Instead, have emergency funds established – with contributions from both the public and private sectors – and have those funds immediately available should the need arise, he said.
2. Clear lines of communication
Protocols need to be set and teams should be designated for intra-agency communications. It is better to use electronic communications for real-time information sharing, Flory said.
3. Trained personnel and responders
Personnel involved in outbreak responses need to receive training, but that training also needs to be ongoing so responders – including veterinarians, police, civil defense workers and local authorities – are familiar with the tasks involved.
It is also important to conduct simulations and practice exercises to make sure that those personnel are ready to implement the skills they learned during those training exercises and workshops.
4. Procurement and stockpiling
Personal protective equipment (PPE) and other essential tools and equipment not only need to be available, but also managed by logistical experts. Government entities should establish long-term agreements for rapid outbreak procurement.
5. Use of data technology
There is a strong need to utilize data technology for diagnostic advancements or centralized real-time data management, Flory said.
6. Community engagement
It is imperative that governments build trust with communities via education and awareness campaigns. These messages can be shared in schools, in churches, with local leaders and with livestock extension services.
View our continuing coverage of the global avian influenza situation.
To learn more about HPAI cases in commercial poultry flocks in the United States, Mexico and Canada, see an interactive map on WATTPoultry.com.
