AHI FACILITY Avian & Human Influenza 58053 UZBEKISTAN Effective Implementation Delivers Improved Preparedness in Uzbekistan T here has been no outbreak of H5N1 or H1N1 in a Technical Working Group. By closing, the Project was Uzbekistan. As in other countries that have not yet able to complete procurement of all the goods and confronted the diseases, the emphasis has been on technical assistance as well as civil works envisaged preparedness. under the Project. Flexibility in the face of the disease- free status of the country also allowed re-allocation of resources from activities aimed at response to those that Context strengthened preparedness. Agriculture accounts for some 26.8% of GDP and employs around 44% of the labor force in Uzbekistan. Of the Strengthening Surveillance estimated 33 million poultry, around 75% are held in backyard settings. These are The AHI Facility grant has supported the refurbishment The findings of the typically tended by women and children and upgrading of a number of facilities that play a critical 2009 knowledge, and have limited access to veterinary role in the surveillance system. Seven oblast (regional) attitudes and services, making them highly susceptible laboratories were upgraded as was the lab of the practices study found to HPAI. Industrial poultry, which tends to be managed in covered poutry houses, is Republican Sanitary Epidemiological Station (RSES) - to Biosafety Level 2, the State Veterinary Department and an unusually high less susceptible to contact with wild birds, the Intensive Care Unit for Contagious Diseases in the level of awareness however trade, particularly of chicks from Institute of Virology. Equipment, computers and vehicles across a broad Russia and Turkey constitutes an ongoing have also been provided to the State Veterinary threat. Department. spectrum of the population. Coordination: A Success Factor The performance of the Project has benefitted considerably from effective central coordination between Government Departments and donors/international agencies. The Ministry of Health convened a Special Committee consisting of the main stakeholders. This was ably supported by technical agencies (including UNICEF, FAO and WHO) who formed The Project has also supported various overseas study tours for the national communications, veterinary and health specialists - facilitating access to international best practices. Collaboration between the Institute of Zoology and RRA on wildlife surveillance was also successfully completed. Adapting to Circumstance Given that there have been no Avian Influenza outbreaks in the country, the Government of Uzbekistan reassigned funds previously allocated for compensation payments to procure additional laboratory equipment, including autoclaves, necropsy tables, cooling chambers, refrigerators, generators for electric supply in case of power failure, a refrigerator truck for transportation and delivery of vaccines, drugs and other biological materials that require the maintenance of a cold chain. The Government has given an assurance that required funds will be provided for the compensation of owners of infected poultry in case of an epidemic. The Compensation Fund Manual developed under the Project has been adopted by the Republican Emergency Anti-Epidemic providers, makhalla leaders and teachers) with the farmers' Committee. group showing a slightly higher level of awareness when compared to other surveyed households. Building Awareness and Technical Capacity Risk groups have started to adhere to hygiene and sanitary · rules and bio-security practices such as (i) isolated poultry Training activities have been extensive and broad-based with the keeping (in cages and poultry-yards) in households, (ii) the use public awareness and information component successfully of well and artesian water for poultry-yard cleaning, poultry reaching out to journalists, school children, watering and personal sanitization, which health personnel, community leaders, reduces the infection risk for poultry and natural resource managers and media Key Data people and (iii) the increased use of special representatives. Animal and Human Health work wear in poultry-yard cleaning. training components have also had a broad Grant Amount: $2.96 million reach. Disbursement (to end March 2010): Remaining Challenges In April 2008, UNICEF was contracted by the $2.94 million Government to carry out advocacy, public The legislation required to facilitate education and social mobilization activities Closing Date: March 2010 transportation of samples to international to increase awareness of, and appropriate reference laboratories is yet to be fully responses to, Avian Influenza. Particular adopted and Uzbekistan remains among attention was given to reaching out to the few countries in the region that does women and children - reflecting the risks identified, and the not have National Influenza Center certified by WHO. The importance of backyard poultry management. Government are confident, however, that in case of an outbreak, approval for sending specimens abroad could be obtained within A Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) survey in 2009 found a a very short period of time. To this end, four participants completed number of positive outcomes from this campaign: training in Turkey on the IATA procedures for shipment of contagious materials. · The level of awareness of bird flu had grown considerably when compared to the results of previous surveys. Positive outcomes · Activities aimed at teachers and school children, the dissemination of posters and TV spots had a significant impact While it is impossible to accurately assess the level of preparedness on the awareness level of the population. without an outbreak, the findings of the KAP suggest an unusually high level of awareness across a broad spectrum of the population · Increased knowledge of bird flu prevention measures was and evidence that this is positively affecting agricultural and observed for all non-target groups (veterinaries, health personal practices. AHI The AHI Facility is a Multi-donor Trust Fund administered by the World Bank and supported by Australia, FACILITY China, Estonia, the European Commission, Iceland, India, Korea, the Russian Federation, Slovenia and the Avian & Human Influenza United Kingdom