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

**Weekly Update (March 24, 2006)**

**[AI Status and GOU Actions]{.underline}**

-   On March 22, Deputy Prime Minister for Agriculture, Yuriy Melnyk,
    stated in a press conference that the Government plans to apply for
    World Bank loans for laboratory equipment (50 million hryvna) and
    for assistance for the vet service (25 million hryvna) as it
    continues to prepare for any future H5N1 outbreaks in the country.

-   The quarantine of the Odessa Zoo resulting from the H5N1 outbreak
    there three weeks ago has been lifted. Deputy Prime Minister Melnyk
    also noted at the above mentioned press conference that no longer
    are any quarantines in effect in Ukraine. "Today we can say that
    there is no bird flu in Ukraine," explained Melnyk. The Mission
    notes, however, that Ukraine remains at high risk given the
    returning bird migration and the continued outbreaks of AI globally,
    and, therefore, a continued high level of vigilance is required.

**[USAID/Ukraine AI Assistance]{.underline}**

> **1. Operational Plans (communications, human health, animal health)**

-   Two of the three operational planning exercises undertaken by the
    donor community to formulate appropriate AI activities in the
    communications, animal health, and human health areas have been
    completed (communications -- UNICEF/USAID; animal health --
    FAO/USG/World Bank; human health -- CDC/WHO). Based on conclusions
    and recommendations from each plan, the Mission has finalized
    funding decisions across its AI portfolio. The Mission now plans to
    complete negotiations with current and potential implementing
    partners and disburse funds.

> **2. Building Local Capacity**

-   USAID/Ukraine is now in negotiations to build capacity within the
    veterinary, public health, and poultry industry systems, mobilize
    community-level interventions, and strengthen policy and
    legal/regulatory reforms as well.

> **3. Equipment and Supplies**

-   The Mission is negotiating for the provision of equipment to upgrade
    the capacity of the Ministries of Health and Agrarian Policy to
    perform diagnostic testing (e.g., PCR equipment, testing reagents)
    and to ensure that first responders and cullers have sufficient
    protective equipment.

> **4. Community Mobilization** **-- International Relief and
> Development (IRD)**

-   International Relief and Development (IRD) has begun project
    implementation, including meeting with local officials, forming
    training teams, and organizing its first training program for early
    April. Two to three USAID Mission representatives will visit Crimea
    in early April to view project activities.

> **5. Public Awareness** -- **Center for Ukrainian Reform Education
> (CURE)**
>
> Since October, USAID/Ukraine has worked through the Center for
> Ukrainian Reform Education (CURE) to develop and implement a public
> education and awareness campaign on AI. Cumulatively, tens of
> thousands of public information and education messages have been
> disseminated. Some activities from the past week:

-   CURE radio PSAs continue to air on the National Radio Channel (UR-1)
    several times per week: the PSA for private households is aired
    twice per day; the PSA for general audience is being aired once per
    day. Both PSAs contain key messages recommended by WHO and FAO and
    were developed in consultation with the Ministries of Health and
    Agrarian Policy and USAID. 

-   CURE is preparing a national seminar, "***Is Ukraine Ready to
    Protect Itself from AI in Spring?"*** for regional journalists,
    sanitary-epidemiological service representatives and related NGOs,
    which is scheduled for April 4. Venue: Great Conference Hall of the
    National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine; 55, Volodymyrska St.

-   CURE continues to conduct weekly national and regional media
    monitoring. This week, some of the new messages identified were:
    Virus mutation enabling virus to transmit from humans to humans will
    happen probably this spring, but no later than in a year;
    Un-freezing poultry meat in a micro-wave is a good way to kill
    viruses; Researchers in Kharkiv have developed an experimental
    sample of anti- AI vaccine for poultry.