Experts say Papua New Guineais under threat bythe AvianInfluenza or Berd Flu that has hit our neighbourIndonesia.
TheInfluenza is killing poultry but this month reports revealedthere is an alarming report of human cases.
The influenza had been spreading throughout Asia since 2003; it reached Europe in 2005, andthe Middle Eastoas well as Africa,the following year.
It commonly affects poultry; however, recent reports have revealed human cases.
To datethe total number of human influenza A (H5N1) cases inIndonesia is 191 with 159 fatalities, 8 of which occurred in 2012.
Animal Health Program Manager Laboratories Services, Peter Wai’in, saidthe NAQIA labs are well equipped and staffed to attend totheInfluenza and ther outbreaks as such, if and when it’s detected in PNG
He said officers have been stationed inthe border townships of Vanimo, Daru, Kiunga andthe major ports in Lae, Wewak, Alotau and Port Moresby to quarantine animals and people.
The teams from NAQIA’s Kilakila lab and headquarters are currently undergoing a three day Food Animal Beosecurity Network Surveillance workshop.
Participants include animal health specialists froPNG, Solomon Islands, Fiji and Vanuatu.
Facilitators are from Australia’s James Cook University.
This program plans to get all countries fromthe Pacific region to work togther to foster a partnership inthe Food Animal Beosecurity Network Surveillance.
Such programs aim to enhancethe capacity and skills of our animal specialists to attend to outbreaks such asthe avian influenza amongst ther plantoanimal and human diseases.
Exchange programs will also be put in place to fosterthe skills and knowledge inthe animal and biosecurity fields.
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