Mrs. Mwila was speaking in Chisamba today when she opened a two day media orientation workshop on Avian Influenza. She said the media should help to prevent the outbreak by joining the national crusade and also to create awareness on the social and economic impact that Avian Influenza can have on the poultry industry and the national economy. Mrs. Mwila noted that Avian Influenza, which is also referred to as bird flu has affected many countries around the world, adding that measures should be developed to prevent the spread of the disease in case of a possible outbreak in the country.

 

Mrs Mwila, who is also Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services Chief Press and Public Relations Officer, said Government has recognised the media as vital institutions that will positively contribute to the success of preventive and control measures that put in place by it and other partners in preventing the spread of the disease in the country. She has since challenged the media to report facts on Avian Influenza by getting up to-date information from the national task force on the disease.

 

Speaking at the same function, Dr. Yona Sinkala from the Ministry of Agriculture department of Veterinary Services, disclosed that the national task force on Avian Influenza has received a grant of US$1 million from the World Bank. Dr. Sinkala said the money will go towards Zambia's preparedness on Avian Influenza in case there is an outbreak. He also revealed that an additional sum of US$240 has been received from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to spearhead Zambia's preparedness by introducing more programmes aimed at preventing the outbreak of the disease in the country. Dr. Sinkala has however, appealed for more financial assistance from the donor community. The first case of Avian Influenza was recorded in 1977 in China and the disease has since spread to other parts of the world, mostly Asia, and has recently been reported in some African countries such as Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana and Sudan. Many more countries in Africa including Zambia are still under the threat of being affected by the disease. The National Task Force on Avian Influenza comprises the Ministries of Health, Agriculture and Information. ZANIS/ENDS/TK/CK/EB