Lessons from Chisamba Bird Flu Simulation Exercise

This article describes a simulation exercise for preparedness and control of avian influenza - bird flu or H5N1 - that took place in the Chisamba farming bloc located in Chibombo District, Zambia. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the Zambia A1 National Task Force (NTF) organised the exercise, which was implemented with the help of Central Province Rapid Response Team. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded the programme.

Zambia, which was officially free of the H5N1 at the time of the simulation (October 2009), was chosen for preparedness training because, as stated here, the country has a high potential to be infected due to the growing importance of poultry production and trade within the country and across the borders. Members of other Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states sent representatives to witness the event that tested Zambia’s preparedness for the bird flu. As reported in the article, the Zambian Government has been proactive in prevention and control of bird flu since the formation of the avian influenza NTF in early October 2005. The NTF has implemented several activities including an international desktop simulation through the monitoring of the National Technical Committee and the NTF, with the support of development partners. Following that simulation, the field simulation aimed to test the national response plan to ensure that procedures were understood, to reveal weaknesses, and to clarify roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders. The other objective was to build national capacity while giving the opportunity for neighbouring countries to share the same vision and use the same tools to improve the preparedness in sub-region.

The field simulation exercise was held in various selected host sites with the centres in charge of organising the events at the district veterinary service sub-stations. Prior to the exercise, the Rapid Response Team was given a three-day preparedness workshop in Chisamba through an effort called "Stop A1 Stamping Out Pandemic and Avian Influenza".

On the actual day of the simulation exercise, people gathered at the market to witness this event, which was aimed to raise their awareness and teach lessons on how to deal with diseased chickens. An imaginary scenario was created suggesting that some people at the large local poultry farm had contracted bird flu from one of the birds. The demonstration included sampling, culling, and disinfecting at the farm and, occasionally, at the market, using live chickens. The carcasses of the suspected infected birds and the cages were disposed of by combustion in a container. The main street in front of the market, a central gathering point for observers, was used to install bio-security devices and check points manned by police officers, as the task-force called for "consented efforts and multi-sectoral responses from many stakeholders".

Human infection and treatment was also the subject of the simulation. In order to show demonstrations on stamping out the flu in the infected area and epidemiological surveillance in the buffer zone, two sites were chosen within the same area. The health centre of Chisamba hosted the demonstrations involving human investigations and care. A special camping site was created to avoid disruptions of normal operations of the hospital. An ambulance was used to ferry the patients from the infected area to the hospital for diagnosis and further treatment. Cars were disinfected at police checkpoints. Notice boards were put up and flyers containing information on bird flu were circulated to passers-by. Messages included: handwashing; poultry product cooking safety; and an emphasis on consuming local poultry products.

The plan outlined for the period following the simulation is for veterinary officers to work further on sensitisation of the local community to the topic of bird flu prevention and treatment and for the national taskforce to enhance public awareness and sensitisation through the media.