**[Avian Influenza]{.underline}: Ukraine**

> **[Weekly Update (December 14, 2005)]{.underline}**
>
> **[AI Status and GOU Actions]{.underline}**

-   The avian influenza virus continues to spread across the Crimea. In
    addition to the initial 5 villages, massive deaths of birds were
    found in 20 additional villages during door-to-door monitoring in
    the same three districts of the Crimea that are already infected.
    The Ministry of Emergency and veterinary officers have sent samples
    for testing to labs in Donetsk and Kyiv.

-   Veterinary laboratories have preliminarily confirmed that the AI
    virus found in one town and seven villages of the Crimean districts
    now under quarantine is of A type, H5 subtype. Final results of fowl
    blood tests from a London lab are expected shortly.

-   Quarantine measures are in effect for 45 days in the three Crimean
    rayons affected. A concern remains that because of unseasonably warm
    weather in the Crimea, migratory birds may winter there provoking
    continued AI circulation and increased incidences in the spring.

-   Between December 3 and December 11, approximately 38,000 domestic
    birds were culled and burnt.

-     Ukraine's Ministry of Health has provided equipment worth \$60,000
    for the three infected rayons, which is being installed in central
    rayon hospitals and village clinics. In addition, the GOU delivered
    nutritional supplements for children and pharmaceuticals worth
    \$7,200.

-   No human infection has been reported. Teams of veterinary doctors,
    medical personnel, sanitation and epidemiology workers continue to
    inspect exposed villages. Of the approximately 40,000 people
    residing in a 10-kilometer area around the infected villages, about
    450 people (including 101 children) residing in 115 households are
    under special medical monitoring.

-   Vaccination of high risk groups continues in the Crimea.  Sixty-four
    vaccination teams are at work in the villages where the virus has
    been identified. Thus far approximately 7,000 people have been
    vaccinated, which accounts for less than 30% of the targeted group.
    The GOU is experiencing a shortage of vaccines, and has ordered an
    additional 9,000 vaccines.

-   On December 13, the European Union temporarily banned the import of
    Ukrainian poultry.

**World Health Organization determinations:**

-   The World Health Organization (WHO) and the European CDC's mission
    worked in the Crimea the week of December 5. The WHO determined
    that:

    -   AI has been detected in 23-26 villages in the Crimea.

    -   the risk of AI further spreading to domestic birds throughout
        the Crimea is high, though the probability of it spreading to
        humans is low;

    -   the response of the government has been good, but workers are in
        need of better protective gear, especially goggles;

    -   the virus can live up to 35 days in chicken feces (at 4 degrees
        C), which could potentially infest replaced flocks.

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-   WHO recommendations for immediate assistance:

    -   protective gear and Tamiflu for those culling flocks; 

    -   training and development of SOPs for protective gear;

    -   expansion of public health messages, possibly door-to-door
        pamphlets

    -   laboratory analysis procedures;

    -   training health workers;

    -   vaccines and anti-virals;

    -   inspections of industrial poultry facilities.

> **USAID Technical Assistance:**

-   USAID-sponsored Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH)
    has ordered laboratory reagents and supplies worth \$43,000 to
    increase Ukraine's capacity to detect the avian flu virus, along
    with personal protective equipment. First deliveries are scheduled
    for this Tuesday, December 20.

-   USAID's agricultural marketing program (AMP) continues to employ two
    additional veterinarians to monitor the situation in Ukraine.

 

> **USAID Public Awareness:**

 

-   Once the initial cases of the AI H5 virus type were registered in
    the Crimea last week, UREP moved its public information efforts to
    Tripwire 2**.**

-   The UREP continued to conduct regional and national media monitoring
    with support from the regional Press Clubs. Among the issues
    mentioned:

    -   Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has dedicated funds from the
        state budget to reimburse people for poultry culled in the
        Crimea.

    -   Quarantine measures in the Crimea will be valid during the next
        40 days.

    -   Ministry of Health has provided medical equipment to infected
        villages in Crimea in total value of Hr 275,000.

    -   Crimean Republican prosecutor's office has undertaken an
        investigation into why nothing was reported a month or so ago,
        when poultry first began to die in the Crimea.

    -   Sanitary and veterinary control is mandatory; certificates for
        products are required.

    -   Private householders are getting advice on how to strengthen the
        immune system of domestic poultry.

    -   Chicken prices have fallen.

    -   The virus can stay alive in frozen poultry meat, and dies
        immediately at a temperature of 100 C.

    -   Disinfections of all vehicles are being conducted at borders.

    -   Regular flu vaccination is encouraged.

    -   The source of the virus is infected migrating birds, so avoid
        contact between domestic poultry and wild birds.

    -   Keep your domestic poultry in enclosed quarters.

    -   Maintain rules of hygiene while working with raw poultry meat.

-   UREP-produced radio public service announcements (PSA) were aired
    twice daily on Ukrainian national radio. Television PSAs were aired
    during the UREP TV Program "Crossroads" on the government-run
    channel, UT-1, on December 10, and on three Lviv television
    stations.

-   UREP is coordinating an effort with the program TV-Radio Courier,
    which airs on 135 state and commercial channels, to show its PSA.

-   On December 12 UREP will begin producing a second TV and radio PSA
    for targeted audiences.  In addition, UREP is preparing a special AI
    issue of its "New Courier" magazine, with articles written by
    regional journalists.

-   On December 13 and December 16, the UREP will organize seminars on
    "AI: The Real Situation and Preventive Measures"  in Chernihiv and
    Symferopol, respectively, for all interested parties, including
    private and commercial workers and representatives of the local and
    central governments. Journalists from many Ukrainian oblasts and the
    Crimea will also take part.