[afro-nets] Who stands to gain by spreading Bird Flu...(3)

[Tom Oconnell <tsoconnell2@yahoo.com>]

Who stands to gain by spreading Bird Flu...(3)
----------------------------------------------

Dear All,

This is an interesting post on information sources concerning
the avian flu, which comes from the e-newsletter "the Drum
Beat", produced by The Communication Initiative. They area NGO
which provides "an online space for sharing the experiences of,
and building bridges between, the people and organisations en-
gaged in or supporting communication as a fundamental strategy
for economic and social development and change."

This issue can be accessed in full at:
http://www.comminit.com/drum_beat_338.html

Best regards,

Tom O'Connell
Consultant, Health Policy and Planning
mailto:tsoconnell2@yahoo.com


--
The Drum Beat - Issue 338 - Avian Influenza Communication
March 13 2006

Chair of the Partners Group: Garth Japhet, Soul City
mailto:garthj@soulcity.org.za
Executive Director: Warren Feek mailto:wfeek@comminit.com
http://www.comminit.com


Access this issue online at
http://www.comminit.com/drum_beat_338.html

***
In the context of a global focus on bird flu, or avian influenza
(AI), The Communication Initiative is continually updating a
list of core messages, examples of communication actions, guid-
ance notes, and thinking points to assist communicators and
journalists in addressing prevention and outbreak communication.
What follows in this issue of The Drum Beat are just a few exam-
ples from the listings; please see
http://www.comminit.com/avianinfluenza.html for the growing set
of AI resources available on The CI website.

Please send information, particularly examples of programmatic
action to address AI prevention, to Deborah Heimann
mailto:dheimann@comminit.com


***

ACTION
http://www.comminit.com/avianinfluenza.html#communicationactions


1. Avian Flu Communication Campaigns - East & Southeast Asia
Drawing on a large number of volunteers and access to remote and
vulnerable communities, Red Cross and Red Crescent societies in
East and Southeast Asia are developing coordinated communica-
tion/education campaigns as part of a broad avian influenza pan-
demic prevention and contingency plan. This initiative is prem-
ised on the conviction that equal access to simple and under-
standable messages should be available not only to people who
can read or write but also to the more vulnerable communities
living in the rural areas and workers in the poultry farms. By
using interpersonal communication in the form of face-to-face
meetings, information and communication technologies, and infor-
mation, education and communication materials, organisers are
working to inform and motivate people to protect themselves in
light of a possible bird flu pandemic.
http://www.comminit.com/avianinfluenza/pds2006/experiences-3561.html
Contact:
In Bangkok - Grete Budsted grete.budsted@ifrc.org; Alan Bradbury
alan.bradbury@ifrc.org; Bekele Geleta bekele.geleta@ifrc.org
In Beijing - Alistair Henley alistair.henley@ifrc.org
In Geneva - Dr. Adelheid Marschang adelheid.marschang@ifrc.org;
Charles Evans charles.evans@ifrc.org; Ewa Eriksson
ewa.eriksson@ifrc.org


2. Avian Influenza Behaviour Change and Communications Support
Activity - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos & Indonesia
The Academy for Educational Development (AED) is working with
the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Food
and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and a number of international
and Southeast Asian regional partners to develop and implement a
12-month behaviour change communications programme. Strategies
will include interpersonal communication in the form of farmer
education, patient counseling, peer education (farmer-to-farmer,
vendor-to-vendor), and informal discussion (vendor-to-consumer,
neighbour-to-neighbour). Some of this communication will draw on
organisational and community outlets, including workplaces,
schools, community- and village-level meetings, and affinity
groups (women's unions, farmer groups, health associations).
Other approaches will include mass media (national television,
radio, and print, and international and web-based communication)
and public relations/advocacy (conferences with international
experts, and press briefings).
http://www.comminit.com/avianinfluenza/pds2006/experiences-3591.html
Contact Mark Rasmuson mailto:mrasmuso@aed.org or Susan Zimicki
mailto:szimicki@aed.org


3. Cambodia Presentation: Regional Meeting on Communication Pre-
paredness for AI
by Try Tan
Presented as part of the UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia
Avian Flu Communication Meeting held Jan 23-24 2006, this Power-
Point presentation outlines the communication response of 2 Cam-
bodian organisations: The Inter-Ministerial Committee to control
Avian Influenza and UNICEF, Cambodia. The Inter-Ministerial Com-
mittee's response has included: communication materials produced
and disseminated by the Ministry of Agriculture on prevention of
bird-to-bird transmission; training of village veterinarians;
communication materials produced and disseminated by Ministry of
Health (a radio spot, documentary video, and television spot);
and printed materials for health workers. UNICEF's response has
included: a 1-month hand washing campaign on TV and radio in
April 2005; a draft communication strategy; 2 spots on hand
washing broadcast on prime-time TV; print materials (which were
pre-tested and are being revised); 3 TV spots related to sea-
sonal flu; a booklet on avian and human flu; and radio and TV
phone-in programmes. Several next steps are identified.
http://www.comminit.com/strategicthinking/st2006/thinking-1564.html
Contact Try Tan trtan@unicef.org


4. Communication Components: Avian Influenza and Pandemic Plan-
ning - New Zealand
In December 2005, the New Zealand Ministry of Health began im-
plementing communication strategies to raise public awareness
about bird flu. The national initiative involves using the mass
media, information and communication technologies, research, and
printed materials to share information and foster pandemic plan-
ning on the part of health professionals, businesses, and mem-
bers of the general public. For example, a 10-day television-
based campaign shared key messages; in addition, Radio New Zea-
land is creating a series of public service announcements (PSAs)
advising people on how to prepare for an influenza pandemic. A
website is another means of sharing information and stimulating
action to prepare for an outbreak. Finally, a toll-free, pre-
recorded line gives callers 4 options for further information.
http://www.comminit.com/avianinfluenza/pds2006/experiences-3557.html
Contact Ministry of Health birdflu@moh.govt.nz


***
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[For context, please see
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VOTE HERE: http://www.comminit.com/pulse.html


DISCUSSION:
To participate in debating the above, please send an email to
drumbeatchat@comminit.com for distribution to the Drum Beat chat
network. If you are not already a member please join The Drum
Beat chat forum in which this article has also been placed. To
join and contribute please see
http://www.comminit.com/email_forum.html#drumbeatchat



***
STRATEGIES
http://www.comminit.com/avianinfluenza.html#avianinfluenzacommunicationstrategies

- General -

5. Beijing Declaration: At the International Pledging Conference
on Avian and Human Pandemic Influenza
This declaration resulted from a conference convened in Beijing,
China on Jan 17-18 2006 under the co-sponsorship of the Govern-
ment of the People's Republic of China, the European Commission
and the World Bank and in co-ordination with the World Health
Organization (WHO), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and
World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). Participants recog-
nised the need to take further coordinated actions to strengthen
disease surveillance and diagnostics, develop much-needed capac-
ity in human and veterinary health systems; and increase public
awareness and address social and economic impacts. The declara-
tion outlines commitments that aim to build coordination and
collaboration; several communication-related activities will be
developed within the scope of these commitments.
http://www.comminit.com/avianinfluenza/st2006/thinking-1554.html


6. Bird Flu: The Communication Challenge
by David Dickson
According to this article, lack of information is a significant
contributor to human disease and one of the most important bene-
fits of modern medical science has been its contribution to
awareness of the way that diseases spread, leading to prevention
strategies. However, the author argues that problems occur when
government authorities deliberately withhold information from
the public. He uses several examples to illustrate how lack of
transparent communication can contribute to the impact of out-
breaks of infectious diseases. He concludes that science and
health journalists have a key role to play in the process of
transparent communication in an outbreak situation.
http://www.comminit.com/avianinfluenza/st2006/thinking-1542.html


7. Pandemic Flu - Communicating the Risks
The World Health Organization (WHO) hosted a meeting of public
health experts in Geneva in Dec 2005 to discuss how governments
should communicate the risks posed by avian influenza and the
threat of a human flu pandemic to members of the public. In this
interview, Dr. Margaret Chan explains that the meeting was
called to focus specifically on pandemic communications, as a
first step to building a global communication infrastructure to
respond to the challenges of a human influenza pandemic.
http://www.comminit.com/avianinfluenza/st2006/thinking-1528.html


8. Preparing for a Pandemic
by Heidi Larson
This article discusses the importance of building trust with
communities when developing health programmes, exploring par-
ticularly how this relates to avian influenza, and shares les-
sons learned from the campaign to eradicate polio. The article
points to Nigeria, where distrust has caused reluctance and boy-
cotts towards vaccinations, as an example of how distrust can
hamper health programmes. Populations that are marginalised for
political, religious, and socio-economic reasons, or where
health service delivery is weak or non-existent, generally will
not easily collaborate with a state-driven agenda, unless there
is clear understanding of why it matters to them.
http://www.comminit.com/avianinfluenza/st2006/thinking-1547.html


9. Responding to the Avian Influenza Pandemic Threat: Recom-
mended Strategic Actions
This document sets out activities that can be undertaken by in-
dividual countries, the international community, and the World
Health Organization (WHO) to prepare the world for the next in-
fluenza pandemic and mitigate its impact once an outbreak oc-
curs. The document also describes issues that can guide policy
choices in a situation characterised by both urgency and uncer-
tainty. Recommendations are based on different phases of a pan-
demic, describing strategic actions that can be undertaken to
capitalise on each opportunity to intervene.
http://www.comminit.com/avianinfluenza/ma2006/materials-2697.html


10. Avian Influenza & Human Influenza: UNICEF Contributions
by Dr. Gepke Hingst
According to this presentation (part of the UNICEF Regional Of-
fice for South Asia Avian Flu Communication Meeting held Jan 23-
24 2006), UNICEF's role is built on its mandate to protect chil-
dren, in this case from: loss of protein and income from the
loss of birds; possibility of children becoming infected or los-
ing parents to the disease; and potential education disruptions.
Prevention activities include using communication for behav-
ioural change - hygiene, cough etiquette, poultry cooking, poul-
try practices, sick poultry reporting, and promotion of respon-
sible media reporting. UNICEF's response also includes assisting
in proper disease surveillance and assessing the nutritional im-
pact that culling has on farmers' families. The presenter sug-
gests that outbreak communication must be open and transparent
to build trust between the government and public. Information
for action and risk education should focus on what a person can
do, and take into consideration participation and ownership.
http://www.comminit.com/strategicthinking/st2006/thinking-1562.html


- South East & East Asia -


11. Backyard Poultry Farmers and Avian Flu in Cambodia: A Base-
line Survey
This PowerPoint presentation was created to share the findings
of a survey that was completed by the Academy for Educational
Development (AED) on behalf of USAID, results from which will be
used for behaviour change communication activities designed par-
ticularly for rural backyard poultry farmers on avian influenza
(AI) in Cambodia. The survey aimed to: constitute a KAP (knowl-
edge/ attitudes/ practices) baseline of the rural backyard poul-
try farmers on prevention and containment of AI - a set of re-
search tools and parameters which can be repeatedly applied in
order to monitor trends; and provide insights into Cambodian
farmers' culture, and derive strategies capable of influencing
behavioural and cultural patterns to contain the spread of AI in
the country. Objectives for future potential communication cam-
paigns are identified. AED is conducting surveys of this nature
in 2 other East Asian countries - Laos and Vietnam.
http://www.comminit.com/avianinfluenza/st2006/thinking-1586.html


12. The Thais Know How to Do It
by Bryan Walsh
This article discusses the experience of Thailand in dealing
with avian influenza, and the lessons that can be learned for
other countries should outbreaks occur. The article suggests
that community networking and information are vital. Many of
Thailand's 250 million chickens live in small household farms
scattered throughout the country. Official surveillance could
easily miss those birds, but a broad network of community health
volunteers has been enlisted to look for possible outbreaks. The
volunteers disseminate information about the disease and its
symptoms to villagers who normally have little contact with doc-
tors or government officials. In addition, the Thai government
has made a special effort to educate the most vulnerable groups:
a UNICEF-produced series of comic pamphlets warns rural children
- who make up the majority of bird flu cases - to stay away from
chickens that appear sick.
http://www.comminit.com/avianinfluenza/st2006/thinking-1544.html


13. Vietnam Avian Influenza Communication Campaign: Draft Strat-
egy and Materials
According to the draft communication strategy based on a base-
line survey conducted throughout the country and developed by
the Academy for Educational Development (AED), many small farm-
ers in rural Vietnam are currently unaware of what they can do
to protect themselves and their birds from avian influenza. The
communication materials being developed feature 2 children ob-
serving the desired behaviours. In doing so, the designers aim
to not only capture the message but also to communicate that
these steps are not difficult to put into practice. For print
materials, illustrations that are bright, colourful, attractive
and easy to understand are used. For radio broadcasting, the
line delivered by the narrator will rhyme (like a haiku) in the
local language while maintaining the key message. AED aims to
make the message 'catchy' and allow the listener to easily grasp
the message.
http://www.comminit.com/avianinfluenza/st2006/thinking-1588.html


14. Viet Nam Avian Influenza/Pandemic Preparedness Communication
Workshop Report
This workshop report from the Avian Influenza Information, Edu-
cation, Communication Working Group explores how and why commu-
nication for behaviour change is vital for preventing, prepar-
ing, and responding to a potential avian flu pandemic. A key fo-
cus of the report is on the power of the media to communicate
key messages; to support that approach, Susan Mackay (Program
Communication Officer, UNICEF, Bangkok) describes a regional
communication initiative to develop Communication Resources Es-
sentials And Tools (CREATE!) for emergencies. These information,
education, and communication tools will constitute a toolbox in-
cluding television and radio spots, posters and leaflets that
could be used as a basis for local adaptation in Vietnam.
http://www.comminit.com/avianinfluenza/st2006/thinking-1550.html


***
Public Information
http://www.comminit.com/avianinfluenza.html#avianinfluenzapublicinformation


Communication Messages: Avian Influenza: USAID
http://www.comminit.com/avianinfluenza/avianflu/general-20.html

Communication Messages: Avian Influenza: Various Sources
http://www.comminit.com/avianinfluenza/avianflu/general-18.html

Facts & Frequently Asked Questions: Avian Influenza
http://www.comminit.com/avianinfluenza/avianflu/general-16.html

Media Coverage: Avian Influenza
http://www.comminit.com/avianinfluenza/avianflu/general-15.html

Planning Checklists: Avian Influenza
http://www.comminit.com/avianinfluenza/avianflu/general-17.html

Situation Updates: Avian Influenza
http://www.comminit.com/avianinfluenza/avianflu/general-19.html


***
STRATEGIES
http://www.comminit.com/avianinfluenza.html#avianinfluenzacommunicationstrategies


- Middle East -

15. Turkey Copes With Bird Flu
by Andrea Gerlin
This article outlines some of Turkey's experiences during an
outbreak of the H5N1 avian influenza virus, and touches on the
role that information can play during such outbreaks. The arti-
cle states that during an outbreak in mid-Dec 2005, the govern-
ment "wasted valuable time. There was no public awareness cam-
paign, no precautions were taken along documented migration
routes, and provincial vets were not adequately equipped."
http://www.comminit.com/avianinfluenza/st2006/thinking-1543.html


16. The Turkish Outbreak and Response
by Erica Kochi
This PowerPoint presentation discusses the avian influenza out-
break in Turkey, providing information about the initial re-
sponse, lessons learned, and recommendations going forward. The
presentation outlines communication actions put in place by both
the Government of Turkey and UNICEF, and suggests challenges and
problems that these communication actions were, in some cases,
unable to overcome. Actions included developing a mass media
blanket, creating 24/7 hotlines, providing journalists' train-
ing, mobilising imams and village heads to pass messages to com-
munities, and producing leaflets for schoolchildren. Most of the
problems with implementing these actions related to issues of
mixed messages: cluttered messages in Turkish designed for mar-
ginalised (not usually Turkish-speaking) communities; harsh
weather that hampered message dissemination; insufficient syn-
chronisation of messages from different UN agencies; and con-
flicting and confusing messages that promoted misinforma!
tion and often led to inaccurate perception of risk.
http://www.comminit.com/avianinfluenza/st2006/thinking-1585.html


- Africa -


17. Africa's Polio Efforts Aiding Bird Flu Fight
by David Brown
This article explores how Africa's response to avian influenza
may be aided by ongoing campaigns to fight polio. In Nigeria,
the polio campaign is being carried out by thousands of vaccina-
tors and surveillance officers equipped with maps that record
every house in every village and who are able to move diagnostic
specimens from patient to laboratory quickly and safely. Accord-
ing to the article, this extensive public health infrastructure
is now mobilising against avian influenza. A 4-day campaign to
vaccinate 40 million Nigerian children is being used to deliver
a message to thousands of village leaders that people should not
touch or eat sick chickens. More elaborate activities may begin
later.
http://www.comminit.com/strategicthinking/st2006/thinking-1571.html


18. Zandi's Song Teaching Resources for Avian Influenza
The Academy for Educational Development (AED) has developed an
illustrated children's storybook titled "Zandi's Song" and other
educational materials for schools in Africa to use to raise
awareness among African children about avian influenza and in-
volve them in educating their communities. The 28-page booklet
about Zandi, a 15-year-old girl who raises chickens to help pay
school fees, as well as an accompanying 12-page teacher's guide,
posters, a fact sheet, and bookmarks, are being pre-tested in
Kenya. Because of the recent outbreak of avian flu in Nigeria,
AED is making advance copies of the materials available online
free of charge. The materials, along with a licensing agreement
for free use, can be downloaded at the AED website for local du-
plication and use in country programmes.
http://www.comminit.com/avianinfluenza/resources/ma2006/materials-2740.html


19. Kenya Country Presentation: Avian Influenza Emergency Pre-
paredness and Response
This presentation, made at the Avian Influenza (AI) Emergency
Preparedness and Response meeting Nov 7-9 2005 in Geneva, Swit-
zerland, outlines the risk of AI in Kenya and highlights the
country situation regarding human health, animal health and the
constraints on the health system. The presentation highlights
Kenya's preparedness and response strategy, which includes the
need for communication. According to the presentation, unsyn-
chronised communication systems can hamper preparation for and
response to AI.
http://www.comminit.com/avianinfluenza/st2006/thinking-1594.html


***
The Drum Beat is the email and web network of The Communication
Initiative Partnership - ANDI, BBC World Service Trust, Bernard
van Leer Foundation, Calandria, CFSC Consortium, The Change Pro-
ject, CIDA, DFID, FAO, Fundacion Nuevo Periodismo, Ford Founda-
tion, Healthlink Worldwide, Inter-American Development Bank,
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Center for Com-
munication Programs, MISA, OneWorld, PAHO, The Panos Institute,
The Rockefeller Foundation, SAfAIDS, Sesame Workshop, Soul City,
UNAIDS, UNDP, UNICEF, USAID, WHO, W.K. Kellogg Foundation.


***
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development activities. Inclusion of an item does not imply en-
dorsement or support by The Partners.


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