Sally Furniss
Well-known member
Maldives Pandemic Plan
The Maldives has not experienced any cases of avian influenza to date.
However, it is in the Central Asia flyway and therefore potentially
vulnerable to the effects of migratory birds.
There are two chicken farms in the country, one Government owned and
one privately owned. There is also small scale chicken farming in the
community.
The importation of live birds has been banned since 2004 with the
exception of one day old chicks. A temporary ban on import of one day
old chicks and frozen chicken and eggs from countries where avian flu
have been detected has been issued in February 2006. All imports are
subject to certification processes.
The potential impact of a pandemic on the Maldives would be huge. Using
an attack rate of 25% numbers amounting to the size of the population of
Male? could be affected. In addition to the health consequences, the
effects on the tourism industry would severely adversely affect the
economy.
The Government of Maldives is committed to preparing for a pandemic
and this is evident in the planning and coordination activities being
undertaken.
Two technical working groups have been formed- one in the Ministry of
Health and the other in the Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine
Resources. The two groups come together at a weekly meeting to
progress the planning process. The proceeds of these meetings are fed to
a national intersectoral panademic preparedness planning committee (NIPPPC) and upwards to a Ministerial Committee and to the President?s
office.
A number of activities are being undertaken to improve planning and
preparedness. An important gap identified in terms of animal health
issues is the absence of a veterinarian in the country. There is a need to
strengthen human and animal surveillance and laboratory capacity for
which training will be required. The NIPPPC has recognized where the
gaps lie and are in the process of trying to fill those gaps by implementing
the work-plan.
However, in order to undertake necessary activities, resources must be
mobilized and financial support in the region of USD 3 million will be
required over the next three years. Government of Maldives has
committed to 10% of the annual requirement.
The Maldives has not experienced any cases of avian influenza to date.
However, it is in the Central Asia flyway and therefore potentially
vulnerable to the effects of migratory birds.
There are two chicken farms in the country, one Government owned and
one privately owned. There is also small scale chicken farming in the
community.
The importation of live birds has been banned since 2004 with the
exception of one day old chicks. A temporary ban on import of one day
old chicks and frozen chicken and eggs from countries where avian flu
have been detected has been issued in February 2006. All imports are
subject to certification processes.
The potential impact of a pandemic on the Maldives would be huge. Using
an attack rate of 25% numbers amounting to the size of the population of
Male? could be affected. In addition to the health consequences, the
effects on the tourism industry would severely adversely affect the
economy.
The Government of Maldives is committed to preparing for a pandemic
and this is evident in the planning and coordination activities being
undertaken.
Two technical working groups have been formed- one in the Ministry of
Health and the other in the Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine
Resources. The two groups come together at a weekly meeting to
progress the planning process. The proceeds of these meetings are fed to
a national intersectoral panademic preparedness planning committee (NIPPPC) and upwards to a Ministerial Committee and to the President?s
office.
A number of activities are being undertaken to improve planning and
preparedness. An important gap identified in terms of animal health
issues is the absence of a veterinarian in the country. There is a need to
strengthen human and animal surveillance and laboratory capacity for
which training will be required. The NIPPPC has recognized where the
gaps lie and are in the process of trying to fill those gaps by implementing
the work-plan.
However, in order to undertake necessary activities, resources must be
mobilized and financial support in the region of USD 3 million will be
required over the next three years. Government of Maldives has
committed to 10% of the annual requirement.