The Donor Meeting for Avian Influenza, organized by FAO, was held at Sedona Hotel, here, today.

It was attended by UNDP Resident Representative Mr Charles James Petrie, FAP Resident Representative Mr Tang Zhengping, WHO Resident Representative Prof Ms Adik Wibowo, World Bank Senior Operation Officer Mr Steven M Schonberger, UNAID Regional Coordinator Dr John Mac Aurthur, representatives of embassies of the US, France, Australia, Republic of Korea, the UK, Japan, Singapore, Italy, Thailand, Germany and People’s Republic of China, IFRC, USAID, AusAID and international consultants of FAO, the director-general of Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department and officials of Health Department.

Representatives of UNDP, FAO and WHO gave speeches and the representative of WB, the regional coordinator of USAID and the director-general of LBVD reported on prevention and control of bird flu and international assistance.

SE Region Bird Flu Coordinator Dr Wantanee Kalpravidth discussed control of bird flu in Myanmar, requirements and challenges, the national strategic plan for prevention and control of avian influenza drawn by FAO and the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, and requirements of the fund.

The representatives of WB said that Myanmar could perform inspection, reporting and taking preventive measures against bird flu. Breeders with high knowledge reported news on death of chicken to the authorities. The laboratory for animal disease in Yangon can test bird flu applying modern technologies. Due to the proper plan on control of disease, the LBVD and Health Department could cooperate with local authorities to control the disease.

Myanmar needs assistance from international communities to speed up tasks of controlling bird flu, they said.