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In
an effort to strengthen preparedness and ensure adequate capacity
for handling Avian Flu the Government of Malawi has established three
Rapid Response Teams (RRTs), one from each region, to respond to reports
of suspected Avian Flu outbreaks in the country. The RRTs are comprised
of staff from the Ministries of Agriculture and Health and the Department
of National Parks and Wildlife.
On September
13, 2006, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
(FAO), with support from the United States Agency for International
Development (USAID) is handing over Rapid Response Team kits to
the Government of Malawi to be used by RRTs in the event of suspected
outbreaks of Avian Flu. The kits include Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE), disinfectant sprayers, quick test kits, and communications
equipment for use by RRT members. The equipment was procured with
both USAID and FAO global funding.
In addition to equipment, USAID recently supported
RRT training, which was facilitated by FAO and the National Avian
Influenza Technical Committee (NAITC). The training was aimed at
building national Avian Flu surveillance and response capacity by
imparting to RRT members the knowledge and skills needed to quickly
respond to reports of suspected Avian Flu outbreaks, including verifying
the disease and containing it.
During the training, a suspected outbreak was
reported at a commercial farm in Zomba District where several chickens
(layers) had died suddenly. An RRT, comprised of two Veterinary
Officers and three Senior Laboratory Technicians, was deployed to
carry out a Rapid H5 AIV Antigen Test and the results indicated
that the poultry did not have Avian Flu but that they died of other
causes.
This successful RRT deployment shows the
importance of continuing to develop and maintain the Government
of Malawi’s capacity to successfully deal with Avian Flu.
USAID and FAO have pledged their continued technical, material and
financial support in this respect.
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