US Ambassador to Cambodia visits Siem Reap interventions aimed at reducing risks of animal health threats
On 18 April 2023, the United States Ambassador to Cambodia, W. Patrick Murphy visited the Siem Reap live poultry collection point to appreciate activities which the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is implementing collaboratively with the Royal Government of Cambodia, in a bid to reduce risks of animal health threats that can affect food security, livelihoods and human health.
The activities which were observed at the live poultry collection point are being implemented as part of a project called, ‘Immediate technical assistance for animal health systems to address emerging and priority zoonotic diseases and health threats in Cambodia’. This is a United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded project and is being implemented by the Royal Government of Cambodia through the General Directorate of Animal Health and Production of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, with technical support from FAO.
Cambodia continues to face risks related to outbreaks of a highly pathogenic avian influenza, (HPAI), which was first reported in 2004. The outbreaks cause significant economic losses to national and rural economies, intensify food insecurity, and pose a threat to public health.
During the visit to Siem Reap, Ambasssador Murphy witnessed first-hand, poultry swab collection, which is one of the activities in the avian influenza monitoring and surveillance process. He was also taken through the facility, and briefed on how poultry is handled at the collection point.
He applauded efforts of Government and FAO and the work being executed on what are the frontlines for prevention of avian influenza outbreaks.
FAO Representative in Cambodia, Rebekah Bell, stressed the importance of technical and financial support to the programme, which she said play an important role in protecting the health of people and animals, and safeguarding farmers’ livelihoods and food security.
Surveillance activities are ongoing in eight sites in Battambang, Kampot, Kampong Chhnang, Kampong Cham, Kampong Thom, Mondulkiri Siemreap and Svayrieng, and are aimed at early detection and prevention of avian influenza virus circulation.
The visit to the live poultry collection point included the Director of the National Animal Health and Production Research Institute, Dr. Tum Sothyra, the Provincial Director of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries, Mr. Tea Kimsoth, other government officials, representatives from USAID and representatives from FAO.
About the project
The ‘Immediate technical assistance for animal health systems to address emerging and priority zoonotic diseases and health threats in Cambodia,’ project is being implemented from 2020 to 2024 with funding from USAID. It is being implemented as part of FAO Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) programme of work which is delivered to more than 37 countries to prevent and mitigate the impact of animal diseases using an integrated unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals and ecosystems (One Health).