Simulation exercise: Highly pathogenic avian influenza in Mali

Dr Kassoum Diakite, Chief Veterinary Officer at the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries of Mali, has informed the OIE that a full-scale simulation exercise on highly pathogenic avian influenza is being organised in the Segou region from 25 to 27 June 2009 by the Technical Coordination Committee (TCC) on avian influenza prevention and control, with the support of FAO/ECTAD, which is based at the Regional Animal Health (RAHC) in Bamako.

The main purpose of the exercise is to test and upgrade the country’s capacities for avian influenza prevention and control, and it will be conducted in a similar manner to a real emergency.

The exercise will enable us to evaluate the impact of the measures already implemented, including training, test the contingency plan and procedures manual and identify any improvements required. The international dimension of this event will help to strengthen the sub-regional partnership in the fight against avian influenza and promote a shared vision of the control strategy.

The main participants in the exercise are as follows: the members of the TCC, the RAHC, the Central Veterinary Laboratory and the Segou Regional Surveillance Committee, including the Veterinary Services, public health services, security services, civil defence, communications, poultry producers’ and poultry technicians’ associations and the administrative authorities of Segou.

The following have been invited to send observers: international institutions (OIE, WHO, UNICEF, EU, USDA/APHIS, Red Cross, etc.), regional institutions (WAEMU and ECOWAS) and countries within the sub-region (Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Mauritania, Niger and Togo).

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