FDAnews
www.fdanews.com/articles/94659-world-bank-staff-from-africa-address-avian-influenza

World Bank Staff From Africa Address Avian Influenza

June 14, 2007

International agencies fighting the avian flu epidemic concluded a regional workshop in Mozambique with a renewed call for effective and comprehensive strategies in Africa.

At the conference, the World Bank Africa Avian Influenza Task Force brought together agriculture/veterinary, health and communications staff from country offices throughout Africa to evaluate and plan the operational response to avian influenza on the continent.

The workshop focused on operational activities and specific technical issues, including vaccination, compensation and lab capacity, and included a simulation exercise that explored the challenges of cross-sectoral cooperation and the importance of integrating the veterinary and health sectors with a communications component for maximum effectiveness.

The workshop marked the first time that the operational staff of the World Bank came together to discuss Bank-funded avian influenza programs.