Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) project “STOP AI,” in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources and the Ministry of Health will hold national training for the lead veterinary and human health specialists from all oblasts of Uzbekistan, the Republic of Karakalpakstan, and Tashkent City on 21-23 April. The training program will focus on the practical aspects of HPAI surveillance, biosecurity, and outbreak response at oblast and rayon levels in case of HPAI outbreak.

The Central Asia region has significant trade in poultry with bordering countries including China, Iran, Russia, Pakistan and Afghanistan, all of which have reported the presence of HPAI H5N1. AI outbreaks in poultry in Kazakhstan in 2006 and human deaths in Azerbaijan in March of 2006 highlight the existence of the threat to health, food supply, and incomes in the region.

At the training, specialists will discuss how to establish and enforce the measures on movement control for animals and humans, transportation of equipment, and laboratory functions in case of HPAI outbreak in accordance with the national program of H5N1 HPAI prevention.

During this year the STOP AI program, together with the State Veterinary Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan will also provide this training to specialists in the relatively high-risk districts of the country.

Avian Influenza preparedness is one of the many programs the American people support through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). USAID is one of the largest donor organizations in Central Asia, sponsored by one country. In Uzbekistan, its programs help develop the economic sector, support health care and enhance social development. Project HOPE implements USAID " STOP AI " program in Uzbekistan.