Response to Avian Influenza in Bulgaria

DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGES In 2006 Bulgaria had its first positive cases of Avian Influenza (AI). Due to its proximity to Romania and Turkey, the country is exposed at a high risk of Highly Pathogenic AI and may consequently suffer undesirable healthcare and economic setbacks. The Bulgarian government has adopted an AI Surveillance Program, requiring expansion of the technical capacity of the AI surveillance systems. The Bulgarian government has requested assistance in the form of laboratory and non-laboratory equipment for increasing the capacity for detecting the onset of a future pandemic and for preparation to act in the event of emergency situations as well technical assistance and training of Bulgarian personnel.

USAID INVOLVEMENT Through cooperation with different implementing partners USAID has channeled $1,100,000 to enhance the Avian Influenza preparedness of Bulgaria. Working in close collaboration with the National Veterinary Medical Service and the Bulgarian Ministry of Health, USAID provides various trainings, technical assistance and specialized equipment to Bulgarian medical doctors throughout the country.

GOAL To provide a sustainable mechanism for surveillance, crisis management and increase of public awareness regarding the AI.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION This project comprises several components:

Avian Influenza Preparedness Program – 1 June 2006 – 30 April 2007
USAID is providing a total funding of $400,000 to improve the technical preparedness of the institutions and units directly involved in surveillance, prevention and control of AI in Bulgaria. This is achieved through procurement of laboratory and non-laboratory equipment (computerized systems, refrigerators, egg incubators, respiratory masks, personal protective equipment kits) for surveillance systems for AI detection and response. Main beneficiaries of the program are the National Veterinary Medical Service and the Bulgarian Ministry of Health, the National Influenza Center. USAID will provide all the necessary equipment for a new National Veterinary Laboratory to be opened in Varna.

Strengthening the Response to Avian Influenza in Bulgaria – 1 June 2006 – 30 April 2007
The project aims to bolster the Bulgarian government’s capacity to optimize prevention of AI in humans and to respond adequately in the event of further cases in birds and/or humans in Bulgaria through:

1. technical assistance for the development and testing of an early warning system for human surveillance (development of an electronic system for rapid exchange of data between 28 districts and national level, purchase of new upgraded hardware, training of local epidemiologists in data entry);
2. strengthened human response capacity (workshops on surveillance and infection control/case management are planned);
3. assistance with strengthening national preparedness plans and facilitating donor coordination meetings with the host government (the planned workshops will address the components of a national preparedness plan – planning & coordination, situation monitoring & assessment, prevention & containment, health system response, communications).

Training of Bulgarian Public and Private Veterinarians – Last two weeks of September 2006
Five 2-day training seminars for 283 public and 149 private veterinarians in Bulgaria have already been held in Vratza, Stara Zagora and Varna with instructors from Bulgaria, Denmark, Netherlands and USA. The available feedback indicates that the participants were very engaged and supportive. The most popular topic that they wanted to know more about was “Outbreak Response”. The two-day workshops included hands-on training with live birds; sessions on euthanasia; disposal, cleaning and disinfection; bio-security; EU standards of AI surveillance.

AI Public Awareness Campaign – 1 July 2006 – 15 April 2007
The purpose is to provide professional, balanced, comprehensive and practical information about AI to regional veterinarian offices, municipal and private veterinarians, mayors and local community leaders, small- and medium-size backyard farmers, commercial poultry operations, minority groups in villages.

Priority areas to be addressed are the nature of AI and associated risks for the poultry and humans; recognizing the signs of the disease, willingness and readiness to report it; access to detailed information in various forms for the professional target audience (vets and commercial poultry firms); practical information with emphasis on bio-security for the backyards farmers; awareness about the complexity of the issue, mechanisms of control and various policy tools for encouraging population to report suspect cases and observe vet requirements (for local mayors and community leaders).

The campaign will be conducted in the regions of Silistra, Ruse, Dobrich, Varna, Burgas, Yambol, Haskovo, Vidin, Montana with the help of printed materials of various type depending on the target audience; radio broadcasting, esp. in high risk AI areas and remote villages; and TV channels, employing a very careful and balanced approach.

Supply of Personal Protective Equipment
Specialized personal protective equipment valued at $100,000 has been donated by the U.S. Government to the Bulgarian National Veterinary Service and the Bulgarian Ministry of Health.

^{Last updated: 06 February 2007}