WORLD BANK SUPPORTS ARMENIA’S EFFORTS TO FIGHT AVIAN INFLUENZA

ArmRadio.am
05.06.2006 13:05

The World Bank’s Board of Directors has approved a credit of
US$6.25 million for the Avian Influenza Preparedness Project (AIP)
for Armenia. This project will assist the Government of Armenia in
minimizing the threat posed to humans by avian influenza infection in
domestic poultry and prepare for the control and response to influenza
pandemic and other infectious disease emergencies in humans.

The AIP project has three components. In the animal health sector
it will target the prevention, control and eradication of the avian
influenza virus through improved surveillance, strengthened detection
capacity of the reference laboratory and improved bio-safety in
the poultry sector. In the human health sector the project will
reduce the impact of a pandemic influenza virus through year-round
surveillance, effective and accurate methods of diagnosis, social
distance interventions and strengthened medical services. The
project will target also public awareness to increase the attention
and commitment of government, the private sector and civil society,
and to raise awareness, knowledge and understanding among the general
population about the risk and potential impact of a pandemic.