Simulation exercise: Highly pathogenic avian influenza in Guyana

Dr Elias Kenrick, Chief Veterinary Officer of the Ministry of Fisheries, Crops and Livestock of Guyana, informed the OIE that a simulation exercise of highly pathogenic avian influenza will be conducted in his country at a selected area called “Laluni” between 7 and 9 August 2007.

The aim of this exercise is to evaluate the country’s capacity to support a response to an avian influenza outbreak in poultry.

The exercise includes a simulated multi-focal outbreak of H5N1 and the collection of samples. These samples will be analysed in the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory of Guyana and simulated positive results will be obtained, which will then be submitted to a Reference Laboratory for confirmation.

The control teams will be from personnel within the country and a team of observers from Barbados, Belize, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Jamaica, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago. There will also be observers from International and Regional Organizations: PAHO/CPC/PANAFTOSA/DR/Venezuela, FAO, IICA, CARICOM Secretariat and from USDA/APHIS.

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Animal Health Information Department
World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)
[email protected]