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In connection with this, we remind you that two dengue projects
were initiated last year by SPC and the Pasteur Institute of New
Caledonia (see Inform’ACTION 27). As part of the first pilot
project a workshop on vector surveillance and control (VSC) was
implemented in the Cook Islands in September 2007. A summary of
this workshop and another one on mastering epidemiological
data,(funded by WHO), is provided on page 5.
The second project, which aims at extending VSC activities to
all PICTs, is still being fine-tuned with the interested donor,
the French Agency for Development (AFD). Correspondence has been
sent to all PICTs in order to get feedback on the project. We
hope that all PICTs will be interested in this initiative. ‘We
should not pass up this chance,’ says Dr Palmer.
SPC’s Director-General, Dr Jimmie
Rodgers, introduces the second part of the bulletin, which is
dedicated to avian influenza and pandemic influenza
preparedness. Dr Rodgers has a strong message: ‘We
cannot wait until there are enough trained animal and human
health specialists, or all our laboratories are upgraded, or
antiviral drugs and personal protective equipment arrive to see
if our pandemic preparedness plans work... If
there are weaknesses in them, it is better that we discover them
now, rather than when there is an outbreak – when the cost in
both financial and human terms could be heavy...
As health workers, we have been reminded countless times of that
old adage ‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’.
We have included articles regarding
two influenza pandemic preparedness testing exercises that were
conducted in the Pacific Islands in the last quarter of 2007 –
one in Niue and the other in Fiji. The exercises had different
formats and objectives. In Niue, a functional exercise with
field activities was conducted, focusing on testing the field
and hospital services needed in an influenza pandemic. In Fiji,
a tabletop exercise that included a number of hypothetical
scenarios was conducted with the aim of testing Fiji’s national
influenza pandemic plan.
Five fact sheets on avian influenza and pandemic influenza, produced by
UNICEF in collaboration with SPC, WHO and Japan Government are attached
to the bulletin (see information below).
The influenza
pandemic preparedness section of this issue also includes
news on recent activities of the Pacific Regional Influenza
Pandemic Preparedness Project (PRIPPP), such
as infection control posters. New staff who have joined
the team recently are profiled.
Finally, you will find an article on
setting up an early warning and response system in the Western
and Choiseul provinces of Solomon Islands after a tsunami. The
system was established to allow Solomon Islands to be generally
prepared for outbreak-prone and (re-)emerging diseases and, in
particular, to face situations after disaster has affected
infrastructure and displaced populations. Ultimately, the system
will help the Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical
Services to protect communities.
Enjoy your
reading.
Christelle Lepers
Surveillance Information Officer, SPC
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