The STOP AI Master Trainers programme focused on surveillance, bio-security, and outbreak response related to H5N1 HPAI virus and included comprehensive simulation and field activities. The Central Asian specialists learned to design approaches to public health and occupational safety; evaluate bio-security risks and recommend appropriate measures to minimize risk for small-scale poultry producers, commercial farmers, and live bird market owners and sellers.

The course reviewed the essentials of H5N1 HPAI national surveillance plans, district-level implementation, local responsibilities, as well as management of outbreak response operations. Participants became familiar with the procedures for determining the extent of restricted areas, establishing and enforcing movement controls for animals and humans, and laboratory functions. The USAID project also taught facilitation skills to deliver effective training.

In 2009, the USAID STOP AI project, together with these Master Trainers, will launch extensive training programmes at national, oblast, and rayon levels for other veterinarians and human health specialists in each country.

Avian Influenza preparedness is one of the many areas supported by the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). USAID is one of the largest donor organizations in the Central Asia. Its programmes support Central Asia’s community organizations and democratic institutions, help develop the economic sector, education, and assist the Governments in their efforts to adopt international health care practices.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) launched its new STOP AI programme for Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan on 15 September.

The USAID STOP AI project will provide export assistance and resources for planning, surveillance, control, and prevention of Avian Influenza, as well as in preparedness to possible outbreaks, and recovery of the affected sectors after the outbreaks. The project will also promote human safety measures for those working with infected birds and during the outbreaks in general.

The STOP AI project was launched with a five-day training for 25 veterinarians and health specialists from all five Central Asia’s countries. Participants learned about the internationally-recommended procedures for Avian Influenza diagnostics and decontamination, including collection of samples, testing, as well as storage and transportation of the samples. USAID provided US$23,000-worth of protection and diagnostic equipment to facilitate the training. The project plans that upon their return home, training participants will teach these procedures to their colleagues in each country.