Phnom Penh, 18 June 2008
It is important for Cambodia to remain vigilant for possible re-occurrence of avian influenza, because the country shares borders with Viet Nam and Thailand where outbreaks of the pathogenic virus continued to occur, say the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Cambodia's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

They have been organizing public awareness and education activities to warn Cambodians of the danger avian influenza poses to their poultry and to their health, and will organize a community forum on avian influenza in Pouk District, Siem Reap province, on 19 June.

The Ministry's Department of Animal Health and Production (DAHP) and FAO have been organising public awareness and education activities to warn Cambodians of the danger avian influenza poses to their poultry and to their health. Village meetings in Svay Rieng, Takeo, Kampong Cham and Kampot, all bordering Viet Nam have been conducted since April, drawing 4 000 people from 25 villages.

Cambodia shares a border with Viet Nam and Thailand where outbreaks of avian influenza continue to occur, making it important for Cambodia to remain vigilant for the possible re-introduction of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus.

"Although Cambodia has not had any outbreak since April 2007, it does not mean that the risk of avian influenza is not present anymore. FAO, with support from United States Agency for International Development and Germany, will continue to strengthen the government's laboratory capacity to detect bird flu, improve biosecurity in the backyard farms and in the markets, as well as in disease surveillance and early response to minimize the risks of avian flu," said Etienne Careme, FAO Emergency Programme Coordinator.

"FAO's programme with DAHP ensures that through community forum and information and communication materials, the farmers' livelihoods are not threatened and that the farmers know how to prevent the disease, " he added.

While not located along the border with Viet Nam and Thailand, Siem Reap is among the provinces with the largest poultry population and represents an important trade centre for poultry, most of which is sourced from its villages. Siem Reap experienced an outbreak in poultry in two villages in February 2004.

The forum in Siem Reap will also provide a venue for Village Animal Health Workers and Village (VAHWs) and Village Chiefs (VCs) who recently received training on avian influenza and communication skills to practise what they learn. The initiative is envisaged to strengthen the leadership of the District Veterinary Officer, VAHWs and VCs on avian influenza prevention and control. The meeting will also help raise the profile and visibility of these actors, promote trust and encourage early reporting of avian flu outbreaks.

"DAHP and FAO have been working together to provide technical and communication skills training to veterinary officials, village animal health workers and village chiefs so they will be able to educate the public on actions they can take to prevent avian flu infection," said Kao Phal, Director of the Department of Animal Health and Production.

For a related report from IRIN, see:
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=78777.