The global spread of Avian Influenza (HPAI/H5N1) poses a serious threat to the social, economic and human life in addition to animal health and security in Bangladesh. Avian Influenza (HPAI/H5N1) had been detected in birds in 62 countries and 6628 AI outbreaks had been officially reported from the end of 2003 till 26 June 2009. In Bangladesh 48 out of 64 districts were affected, where the number of farms with confirmed H5 Virus was reported to be 327, the number of Culled farms was 587 and Culling of birds up to 05 October, 2009 was reported to be 16,94,609.Bangladesh has experienced the fourth highest number of poultry outbreak in the world. Moreover, Bangladesh is the 15th country in the world to report a case of human infection after CDC, Atlanta, and confirmed infection in the sample.

Being contracted by Academy for Educational Development (AED), RTM International conducted awareness and prevention activities to build awareness for control and prevention of AI outbreaks in Bangladesh. The AI.COMM project funded by USAID was undertaken with collaboration of the Department of Livestock Services, Bangladesh Poultry Industries Association and NGOs.

The following training projects and research studies have been performed by RTM International:



Under a sub-contracting arrangement with AED, RTM International launched a rapid response initiative in five live bird markets. These markets were situated in the immediate vicinity of two recent H5NI infections in Dhaka city. RTM team organized training sessions for vendors and market staff responsible for disposal of poultry waste and also supervised/ monitored the disinfection of the facilities, cages, processing and disposal areas at these five larger bird markets. A total of 61 retailer, 7 whole sellers, 45 poultry processors, 7 owners and 5 leaders were imparted training. All trainings were conducted in close collaboration with Department of Livestock, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock and Dhaka City Corporation.

RTM International designed and conducted a series of training workshops for the officials of Department of Livestock on AI prevention. The purpose of this assignment was to strengthen the capacity of the district animal health veterinarians, upazilla and community based health workers in prevention, control and report of Avian Influenza (AI). A series of trainings, ToTs were organized over the years.

RTM International under a contract with AED, provided training of DLS officers of Bhutan on the use of PPE, sample collection, processing, packaging and transport as well as on culling, disposal and decontamination procedures. The project staff reviewed the commodities training modules the use of personal protection equipment (PPE); decontamination; lab sampling etc., conducted the five-day AI Commodities workshop and three day Training of Trainers on culling, safe disposal and bio-containment, assisted RGOB in reviewing in the draft Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and briefed with the Government of Bhutan and AED on recommendations, and next steps.
     
    

RTM International organized the "USAID Partners’ Meeting" and "National AI Strategic Review Conference" on behalf of AED held during 28-30 October 2008 in Dhaka, in collaboration with Government and USAID.

RTM International organized a workshop on "Poultry Waste Management" on Composting and Biogas in Savar, Dhaka on 22 November, 2008.

RTM International trained six hundred and fifty transporters, vendors, BPIA & NGO workers, poultry & chicken consumers, slaughterers & processors in hotels/restaurants & households in 6 border districts of Bangladesh in 2009.

RTM International conducted a cross border study on Livestock value chain. The overall goal of the project was to identify high-risk areas for introduction of TADs via cross-border routes by mapping livestock market chains and livestock trade volumes within Bangladesh and across its borders with India and Myanmar. The objective of this study was to delineate and map existing livestock value chains and estimation of the volume of livestock trade through these chains, spatial mapping of the different actors (e.g. markets, producers etc.) of the value chain, their contact structure and livestock density throughout the value chain, defining and spatial mapping of the major livestock trading routes, modeling and mapping of the high risk areas in the value chain based on the value chain determinants and network structure. It was conducted in eight epidemiological units like Zokigonj, Burungamari, Burimari, Chagolnya, Teknaf, Sonamosjid, Benapole & Hili under the districts of Sylhet, Kurigram, Lalmonirhat, Feni, Cox’sBazar, Chapainowabgonj, Jessore & Dinajpur. Data were collected from 430 different numbers of actors by conducting Key Informant Interviews among Traders (253), Cattle & Buffalo farmer (113), Sheep & Goat farmer (50) & Pig farmer (14) and identified cross border landing station (Legal & Illegal) through the GPS reader.

A rapid qualitative assessment on H1N1 Influenza Immunization was conducted to determine the knowledge and attitude of the selected targets groups. Twenty four participants selected from three categories i.e. pregnant women, health workers and stakeholders were interviewed. The study was qualitative in nature and was conducted in several sites in Dhaka city.

These studies were conducted for assessing the knowledge level of selected target groups belonging to 6 border districts of the country, who were provided training on Avian Influenza by AED. RTM International conducted a baseline survey and a post evaluation survey of the target groups in the districts of Jessore and Comilla, out of the six border districts, selected on a random basis. The study followed a cross-selectional design adopting the qualitative approaches of in-depth interview.