USAID Bolsters International Avian Influenza Response

The U.S. government through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced a three-year contract to bolster international capacity for avian and pandemic influenza response. Stamping Out Pandemic and Avian Influenza (STOP AI), awarded to Development Alternatives, Inc., is designed to play a critical role in U.S. efforts to limit the impact of avianinfluenza and to minimize its potential to spread globally. The contract is worth up to $35.8 million.

Highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has to date been detected in 55 countries, resulting in the death or destruction of over 220 million birds, and the deaths of 170 people, according to the World Organization forAnimal Health (OIE) and UN health officials. Its potential to mutate into a form easily transmitted to humans has sparked concerns of a potential human influenza pandemic. STOP AI aims to increase global capacity to contain H5N1 avian influenza in animals, therefore minimizing its spread from animals to humans and the opportunity for it to develop into a pandemic strain.

Ambassador John Lange, the U.S. Special Representative, Avian and Pandemic Influenza, says, "STOP AI will help countries reduce and containthe spread of avian influenza in animals by delivering technical assistanceand management services to strengthen the response capacity of developingcountries -- which are particularly vulnerable to the threat due to insufficient resources and infrastructure. We are particularly pleased by the opportunity presented by STOP AI to closely coordinate with expertsfrom the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Department ofHealth and Human Services, and other concerned U.S. Government agencies. STOP AI will also help utilize the available infrastructure of our international partners and multilateral organizations such as the United Nations System Influenza Coordinator, the World Health Organization, the UNFood and Agriculture Organization, and the World Organization for Animal Health to help countries effectively respond to local animal outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza."

Dr. Kent Hill, assistant administrator for USAID's Bureau for Global Health says, "STOP AI will play a vital role in supporting the U.S. government's efforts to prevent the spread of avian influenza and to minimize its potential to threaten the global community in terms of animal health, human health, and economic growth and development."

Hill also emphasized STOP AI's role in strengthening global planning and preparedness, improving early-warning disease surveillance, and supporting an efficient and timely response to avian influenza outbreaks.

STOP AI's focus areas include developing a roster of technical experts capable of deploying to developing countries in advisory and response roles, and helping threatened and affected countries to prepare for, respond to, and recover from outbreaks. The project will also provide logistical support to technical U.S. and international teams deployed for outbreak response.

The project is designed to enhance the U.S. government's international avian influenza response, which is described in the Implementation Plan for the National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza.

USAID has committed a total of $191.5 million in avian influenza efforts worldwide. Along with its partners, USAID supports efforts in 55 countries for improved planning, preparedness, communications, early-warning surveillance and disease detection, outbreak response, and commodity availability and use.


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