Avian Influenza (AI) represents a constant and serious threat to animal and human health worldwide.  Turkey is particularly at risk, being on major migratory routes of wild birds that can carry the disease. 

As early as 2001 the Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Affairs (MARA) started AI prevention and control measures and in 2002 an AI monitoring and surveillance programme was put in place.  Laboratory diagnostic facilities were strengthened and Bornova was selected as a national reference laboratory.  MARA first drafted a “Contingency Plan for AI” in 2002 and updated it in 2005.  In 2006 the Ministry of Health (MoH) published a “Pandemic Influenza Action Plan”.  Although these are independent plans, the importance of the disease for human and animal health necessitates efficient cooperation.

In October 2005, during the bird migration period, AI was first detected in Manyas district, Balikesir province in a turkey farm, where the birds were raised outdoors.  A second outbreak was reported in November 2005 in Aralik district, Igdir province.  The disease spread to 53 provinces, mainly in backyard poultry.  Over 2.5 million birds were culled for disease control. 12 cases of H5N1 in people were confirmed by the World Health Organisation, of whom four children died.  There were no confirmed outbreaks after March 2006 and by May 2006 all restrictions around outbreaks had been lifted. The veterinary services performed well during these outbreaks in containing and controlling the infection in poultry.  In future they will have to play a wider role in coordination of all activities for AI preparedness and response.

Conseil Santé (www.conseilsante.com) has therefore been contracted by the Central Finance & Contracts Units (CFCU), to provide “Technical Assistance to Avian Influenza Preparedness and Response”, for a period of 23 months.  The project will provide technical support to MARA and MoH in policy and strategy development for AI preparedness and control and in strengthening the capability of the veterinary services, including both human and technical resources, to implement effective and efficient AI disease identification, control and eradication measures.