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Second National Task Force Meets to Prevent Bird Flu

September 15, 2006

In response to the rising threat of avian influenza the Government of Tanzania held the second National Avian Influenza Joint Task Group meeting recently in Morogoro to continue preparation for preventing Bird Flu. Ministerial representatives from livestock development, health, natural resources and tourism, and regional affairs/local government from Tanzania’s mainland and Zanzibar participated. Development Partners also attended, including the UN Coordination Office, World Health Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), UNICEF, GTZ, the European Union and the Irish Aid. The US Agency for International Development (USAID) provided financial and logistical support.

The guest of honor, the Permanent Secretary of Livestock Development, Charles Nyamrunda, challenged members to consider how Tanzania’s National Avian Influenza Emergency Preparedness and Response Strategic Plan (National Plan) will be implemented and operationalized. After briefings on the global avian influenza situation, and Tanzania’s National Plan, a Government of Tanzania (GOT) Technical Expert Group and the Development Partners presented issues for deliberation. The following items were adopted by the members:

  1. The Mainland Prime Minister’s Office and Zanzibar Chief Ministers Office shall provide overall coordination of avian influenza activities. The ministries in Main land and Zanzibar responsible for Livestock Development will continue to lead daily implementation with support of Health and Natural Resources and Tourism Ministries.
  2. The Task Force should prepare a one year work plan based on the National Plan including detailed plans for implementation, and determine funding.
  3. The Development Partners will work with National Experts from Tanzania and Zanzibar to appraise the National Plan and one year work plan. The Development Partners have agreed to fund a joint appraisal mission.
  4. Avian and Human influenza strategies for Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar should be further harmonized.
  5. A full time Secretariat providing support to the National Joint Task Force was welcomed, but details on staffing, and positioning within the current institutional set up has been delegated to the work of the joint appraisal mission. The Development Partners have agreed to fund the secretariat function.
  6. The Development Partners should be commended for efforts made so far and should be requested to increase assistance.
  7. Measures taken by Tanzania to prevent entry of AI and systems for early detection and rapid response should continue. (GOT has designated a total temporary ban of importation of poultry and poultry products.)
  8. Efforts to sensitize districts should be made before the disease arrives in Tanzania. 9. Implementation manuals including case definitions of avian influenza in poultry, wild birds and humans should be made available to frontline staff so they can properly detect the disease.

The meeting was closed by the Director of Public Health for Zanzibar, Juma Rajab, who commended members for their participation and asked those gathered not to forget Zanzibar in their efforts to prevent bird flu.

There are no documented cases of avian influenza in Tanzania in poultry or humans. The virus could be introduced through poultry, or the migration of wild aquatic and shore birds. Once poultry is infected, the virus spreads rapidly from flock to flock. Avian influenza can decimate entire flocks, causing economic devastation.

The Government of Tanzania has been active in preparing itself for avian influenza. As mentioned, Tanzania has prepared a comprehensive National Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan, and has instituted a ban on the import of poultry and poultry products. Also, members of Veterinary Investigation Centers have been trained on avian influenza preparedness and response and are conducting passive surveillance. District Medical Officers have been briefed on avian influenza. Awareness programs have aired on radio and television. Tanzania’s multisectoral Technical Expert Group meets regularly to review the situation and recommend appropriate actions.

The US Government, in particular USAID and CDC, has been strongly supporting Tanzania’s preparedness efforts. With assistance from GTZ, USAID funded the surveillance and testing of over 1600 wild bird and poultry for avian influenza. All specimens were negative for the virus. Currently, USAID and CDC are in the process of procuring laboratory equipment to allow in-country testing of animal and human specimens for avian influenza. Other items of support will include the purchase and distribution of personal protective equipment and outbreak investigation kits, training of laboratory technicians and other personnel, support for animal and human surveillance, and support of a simulation exercise to test Tanzania’s National Plan.

Thanks to the efforts of the National Avian Influenza Joint Task Group, Tanzania is better prepared to avoid a Bird Flu epidemic, or to manage it if it comes.