Ethiopia’s Latest Threat

Extract from the document

“The Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners have prepared a ‘Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan on Avian Influenza Pandemic in Ethiopia’. The draft plan has been shared with the Health Population and Nutrition Donor Group which has been submitted for approval.

Considering the probability of Ethiopia to face the pandemic and the non existent capacity to combat the possible devastating effect of the pandemic, the Federal Ministry of Health, WHO and partners are working to identify key issues, prioritise preparedness and response interventions and develop a strategy that can enable the country mobilize resources and institute the most essential preparedness and response interventions as early as possible. The priority areas of intervention include pre and during epidemic phases. At the pre-epidemic phase activities include:

1. Strengthen the emergency preparedness capacities in the country;
2. Reduce opportunities for human infection and;
3. Strengthening the early warning system.

In the case of epidemic phase the strategic directions identified are:

1. Contain or delay spread from the source;
   
2. Reduce morbidity, mortality and social disruption; and
3. Conduct research to guide response measures.

An integrated Disease Surveillance and Response Task Force and various working groups have also been established looking at:

• resource mobilisation;
• advocacy;
• laboratory;
• surveillance, prevention and case management.

Ethiopia’s plan will be in line with the project to provide support to Eastern Africa. The primary objective is to strengthen the capacity for generating and sharing Avian Influenza disease intelligence and using this to mount emergency preparedness planning against the eventuality of the disease being introduced into the region, specifically in relation to migration of and trade in wild birds. The project will also look at generating an understanding of migratory bird movement into and within the region and the potential for their contact with domestic poultry:

• building public awareness of the issues relating to the risks;
• strengthening field surveillance and laboratory support for diagnosis;
• establishing information and technology network linkages with other regions.

Click here for more information and frequently asked questions on the disease.”