Community-Based Avian Influenza Control (CBAIC) Project

Partnership and interpersonal communication characterise CBAIC's work with government, private sector, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community groups, and other stakeholders.

Specifically, CBAIC works to build KOMNAS capacity for effective avian influenza planning and pandemic preparedness in order to minimise the risk of avian influenza infection and transmission in human and animal populations and to ensure quick and effective treatment and management of infected humans and animals through sponsorship of national-level workshops, development of a National Pandemic Preparedness Plan, national-level desktop- and field-based exercises, and provincial-level desktop exercises. CBAIC also works to build KOMNAS capacity in communications through support for, and coordination of, a KOMNAS communication working group, through pandemic communication assistance, and communications training for the regional commission (KOMDA) and regional working groups (KKRs). In addition, CBAIC holds multi-sectoral coordination meetings to facilitate improved coordination and communication within and between the Ministries of Agriculture and Health, provincial and district government offices, KOMDA, and other stakeholders.

The use of the mass media to educate and shift behaviour is reflected in the CBAIC approach. For instance, a government spokesperson training was held in May 2007 to focus avian influenza control messages presented in broadcast and print media. Also, an on-air avian flu control radio programme was implemented and accompanied by off-air variety shows to leverage its impact. Finally, CBAIC developed and implemented a television and radio public service announcement (PSA) campaign, which ran nationwide through the beginning of May 2008.

Local participation in avian influenza awareness efforts and community advocacy is facilitated through coordination of village- and community-level training activities for disease surveillance and response, as well as through behaviour change communication (BCC). This is accomplished by:

• Coordinating CBAIC-trained community volunteers with existing community networks and district governments;
• Building local subcontractor capacity;
• Educating people to recognise signs and symptoms of avian influenza infection;
• Promoting active, sustained, community-based disease surveillance;
• Assisting communities in development of plans for disease prevention, response, and containment;
• Developing and production of AI control informational and educational materials, including calendars, training booklets, training flip charts, banners and flyers, t-shirts, guidebooks, videos, posters, and stickers; and
• Supporting community mobilisation and avian influenza action planning.

Organisers say that the involvement of local partners (Muhammadiyah and the Indonesian Red Cross) has been crucial to the above process, as their community structures and resources "accelerated training and the dissemination of key messages".

Health, Natural Resource Management.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of February 22 2008 Indonesia had amassed 105 fatalities in 129 confirmed human cases of H5N1 infection. The national case fatality rate is 81%, in contrast to the global average (not including Indonesia), which is approximately 53%. Densely populated communities rely on backyard poultry farming for their income; sanitation is poor; there is a long annual rainy season that ensures prolonged wet conditions in which the avian influenza virus easily propagates; and the expansive archipelago provides many places for the virulent H5N1 strain of avian influenza to hide and evolve.