Saturday, November 29, 2008

Addendum: Dengue Meeting, November 27th to the Pacific Avian and Pandemic Influenza Taskforce Meeting of September 29, 2008

Announcement of the 2nd Pacific Avian and Pandemic Influenza Taskforce Meeting (PAPITaF) of 29 September 2008

Addendum and Erratum
Addendum
DENGUE MEETING DAY, 27 NOVEMBER

BACKGROUND

1. Since the seventies, Dengue is a recurrent problem in the region: regional epidemics occur every 5-10 years, with significant morbidity and some mortality. It has economic consequences given the high number of cases it affects and the potential negative impact it has on tourism.

2. SPC, implementing the Pacific Regional Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Project (PRIPPP) and organising the PAPITaF meeting, sees avian and pandemic influenza preparedness as a point of entry for broader epidemic preparedness. Capacity development in avian and pandemic influenza preparedness benefits epidemic preparedness in general, and can be tailored to better control dengue (e.g. organizing surveillance and response, social mobilization, taking multisectoral approaches, legal frameworks for response, surge capacity, training).

3. Therefore, given the current dengue (DEN-4) resurgence in the region, in consultation with WHO, SPC & WHO will take the opportunity to use the gathering of regional expertise for the PAPITaF meeting to address some of the dengue-related issues with the country representatives. Consequently the PAPITAF meeting will be followed by an extra day of meetings on dengue on November 27, 2008.


OBJECTIVES

4. The objectives of the one-day meeting on dengue will be as follows:
Within the framework of the Pacific Public Health Surveillance Network (PPHSN):

I. To review current knowledge of epidemiology and public health impact of dengue and
vector-control measures and identify possible knowledge gaps for dengue control that may need operational research specific to the Pacific Islands (for example the use of biological control methods)

II. In the perspective of the current DEN-4 threat, to provide advocacy for effective dengue control and to share and discuss successful dengue control experiences and strategies that can be adapted by PICTs where appropriate.

III. To identify training needs for vector control and clinical management and the way forward so that existing training programmes could help addressing address them.

IV. To ensure capacity building activities undertaken to improve preparedness for avian and pandemic influenza are also useful for dengue and other epidemic disease surveillance and control.

V. To discuss and make clear current procedures for external laboratory confirmation including serotyping and update participants on the role and availability of dengue rapid diagnostic tests.

VI. To discuss aspects of the regional dengue strategy, and, in particular, the private sector component in the context of the Pacific Islands, and contribute to the preparation of a regional dengue vector surveillance and control project.

PARTICIPATION

5. As stated in the original announcement, technical discussions for both animal health and human health representatives were expected to be held following the meeting of the Taskforce. The extra day on dengue on 27 November will be for PICT senior officer from the Ministry of Health and/or the officer responsible for the National Disaster Management Office (or equivalent) who will be participating in the PAPITaF meeting. Officers from the Ministry of Agriculture participating in the PAPITaF meeting are not expected to participate in the dengue day but will have another separate meeting at the same time.

6. PICTs are requested to bring with them information on a recent dengue outbreak—especially if they had one this year—, on dengue control or/and prevention activities they have implemented and an analysis of what they found worked well and didn’t work well when they faced a dengue outbreak or implemented dengue control activities this year. This will feed into the discussions on dengue control (objective II).

7. For financial support available for the attendance of the PICT representatives, please refer to the original announcement. Officers participating in the dengue meeting will have their stay in Fiji planned accordingly and will be provided a perdiem as described in the original announcement, with accommodation at the Tanoa International Hotel, Nadi.

8. We also invite other representatives from non-PICT agencies and Pacific regional organisations to take advantage of this opportunity to contribute to discussions on dengue preparedness and control; however due to funding limitations, SPC regrets it is unable to sponsor these delegates.

9. Members of the PPHSN Coordinating Body (CB) are invited to both meetings (PAPITaF and dengue), as additional participants if necessary. Representatives from PPHSN-CB core members (PICTs) will be provided with support from SPC for their airfare, perdiem and accommodation according to standard SPC practice (please refer to original announcement for details). As is usual, representatives from PPHSN-CB allied members will be requested to organise their own airfare, perdiem and accommodation. SPC will provide support with accommodation booking.

10. For any other information, please refer to the original announcement, or contact:
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Erratum
In the announcement of the 2nd Pacific Avian and Pandemic Influenza Taskforce Meeting (PAPITaF)
dated 29 September 2008, on page 1, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) should
replace United Nations Disaster Plan (UNDP).
Our apologies for this error.

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