Simulation exercise: Highly pathogenic avian influenza in Singapore

Dr Chua Sin Bin, Chief Veterinary Officer, Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) of Singapore, has informed us that his country is free of Avian influenza and that it will test its emergency preparedness to respond to an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) through a simulation to be conducted on 22 Feb 2006.

"Exercise Gallus 4" will test the AVA’s crisis management framework and standard operating procedures for its Emergency Operation Plan (EOP) to manage and contain a major outbreak of HPAI. Specifically, this exercise will test and validate:

-   the decision making process of the AVA’s Emergency Command Committee (ECC);
-   the efficiency of reporting and communication between the ECC and its field operations room;
-   the SOPs for AVA’s HPAI EOP.

"Exercise Gallus 4" is a ‘desk-top’ exercise and will not involve actual field operations, such as movement restrictions and communications with other countries although a simulation of these activities will form part of the exercise undertaken by the participants. This simulation will occur on paper only.

Singapore has always been free of HPAI.

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Animal Health Information Department
World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)
information.dept@oie.int