Brunei's Ministries Make Preparations to Combat Flu Pandemic, Bird Flu
Posted on: Saturday, 26 November 2005, 09:00 CST
Text of report in English by Azlan Othman carried by Brunei newspaper Borneo Bulletin website on 25 November
To meet the call made by the World Health Organization (WHO) against bird flu, the Ministry of Health has set up an influenza pandemic committee to execute a plan of action to protect the people. The plan of action covers surveillance aspects, control and preventive steps, patient management, logistics and technical assistance, media and public relations, laboratory services and human resources.
The ministry has also stockpiled vaccines, medicines, equipment and other related necessities. Tutong hospital has been identified as a treatment centre with isolation wards for influenza patients. Several facilities have also been identified for quarantine purposes. Continuous steps include enhancing public awareness on prevention and good health practices through relevant communication channels.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, through the Agriculture Department, has taken steps to ensure that poultry farms are free from bird flu. The ministry has provided a plan of action against bird flu, which contains two levels, namely prevention and eradication.
As a precautionary measure, the ministry has focused on several matters like public awareness campaign, surveillance on farms, random sero-surveillance on birds, and boosting the capability of the diagnostic lab of veterinary services in terms of facility and expertise. The ministry has also set up 10 "action groups" tasked with monitoring the situation in farms, receive complaints and nurture the spirit of cooperation should an outbreak occur.
As a preparatory step, the ministry has also established an eradication plan of action, including quarantine and movement control, the disinfection of farms and to establish zoning. Relevant equipment such as protective gear and disinfecting materials have also been provided.
Source: BBC Monitoring Asia Pacific
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