Agriculture Ministry Livestock Development Unit to host a desktop simulation exercise on Avian Flu

The Livestock Development Unit through the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) with funding from the 10th European Development Fund (EDF), will host a Desktop Simulation Exercise on Avian Influenza on May 31st & June 1st 2016, at the Office of Disaster Management (ODM).
According to a release, over a span of 136 years (1876-2012), there have been at least 97 epizootics of Avian Influenza recorded globally. It states further, that Avian influenza remains a recurring global risk to poultry, humans and to the environment, including wildlife.
In the circumstances, IICA engaged an international consultant to develop and revise emergency response plans, in order to conduct simulation exercises for the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), in seven CARIFORUM countries namely Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Lucia and St. Vincent & the Grenadines.
A multi-sectoral approach is reportedly being taken, with participants from the Ministries of Agriculture and Health, private service providers, communication experts, environment and wildlife services, civil defence, and farmer’s associations.