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FAO to conduct bird flu communication workshop in CambodiaPHNOM PENH, Nov 22, 2008 (Xinhua via COMTEX) -- The Cambodian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will organize an Avian Influenza Emergency Risk Communication Workshop from Nov. 24 to 25, said a government press release here on Saturday. "The two-day training will introduce the members of the Avian Influenza Communication Task Force to steps necessary to plan and develop a response so they can effectively communicate control measures to contain an outbreak and prevent its further spread," it said. Participants are provincial veterinarians, district veterinarians, village chiefs and village animal health workers from Pursat and Kampong Chhnang, two provinces which have not had an outbreak of bird flu, and staff of the Ministry's Department of Animal Health and Production. These provinces will also be covered by the AI outbreak simulation exercise to be conducted next week by the MAFF and FAO to test the effectiveness of the Ministry's Guide for Avian Influenza Outbreak Investigation and Emergency Response. "The workshop will provide participants with practical direction on how to effectively communicate correct information and what to do during the pre-outbreak, outbreak and post-outbreak periods. It is important to note that this training will only address the communication aspect of a response to avian influenza, which is only one part of an overall risk management response," said the release. The workshop will discuss the roles and responsibilities of members of the task force, what they should consider when anticipating an outbreak of avian influenza and the kinds of partners and alliances they should form to prevent and control further outbreaks, it said. The training will also provide them practical examples and lessons for communicators from the field of risk management, and make them familiar with the steps and actions necessary to communicate effectively with the community, it added. Cambodia has not had an outbreak of avian influenza since April 2007 but the recent outbreaks in Thailand, Laos and Vietnam make it important for Cambodia to remain vigilant. MAFF's Department of Animal Health and Production instructed all provincial animal health offices in the country to strengthen animal movement control to prevent re-introduction of the avian influenza virus particularly in provinces sharing border with Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. |