June 5, 2009
Laos to boost defence against bird flu, AH1N1 flu
The National Emerging Infectious Disease Coordination Office (NEIDCO) of Laos and Care International (CI) in Laos signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to boost the country's defence against bird flu and AH1N1 flu, according to local media reports.
The MoU was signed by NEIDCO director Bounlay Phommasack and CI acting country director Alexandra Maclean.
According to the MoU, CI will, in the first stage, provide Laos with support of the first national free-call hotline, which served as an information link for the public to call and ask questions or to report suspected bird flu outbreaks in animal and human as well as the current AH1N1 flu worldwide.
Apart from assistance from Care, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (USCDC) also contributed more than one billion kip (US$119,577) to the one-year programme, which runs from September 2008 to September 2009, to help Laos fight bird flu and other communicable diseases.
