Embassy News

USAID Continues to Strengthen Avian Influenza Surveillance and Response in Turkmenistan

PAS No 197
October 02, 2007

Practical training during the workshops

Ashgabat, October 02, 2007 – From September 9-10 and 13-14, leading veterinary and laboratory specialists from Ahal and Balkan regions participated in seminars, funded by the United States through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), on highly pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1surveillance and response.  The training was organized by Winrock International and presented the best international practices to improve planning, preparedness, communications, early-warning surveillance, disease detection, and outbreak response.   

The two-day workshops were attended by twenty-six veterinary specialists of the Veterinary Service Union of “Turkmenmallary” Association, the Ministry of Agriculture, and sanitary-epidemiological specialists of the Ministry of Health and Medical Industry of Turkmenistan.  The training included both theoretical and practical sessions and was delivered by a team of Turkmen and Kazakhstani Avian Influenza surveillance specialists.

Avian Influenza preparedness is one of the many areas, supported by the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Its programs support the country’s community organizations, help agricultural enterprises to improve their productivity and competitiveness, and assist the Government of Turkmenistan in its efforts to adopt international health care practices.