June 20, 2006

USDA begins hosting bird flu training for world scientists

Twenty-four scientists from 19 countries are being trained on diagnostic testing for bird flu, the US Department of Agriculture said in a press release Monday (Jun 19).

"The goal is to assist senior level veterinarians or and poultry disease experts from countries that either have discovered (bird flu) or are at risk for the disease," said Ron DeHaven of the US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. "When they return to their countries, they are better equipped to train their colleagues in lab procedures and protocols."

Training will include hands-on lab exercises and lectures from USDA experts.

It's taking place Monday through Friday at the USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa.

The participants are from countries that have requested USDA technical assistance, comprising Argentina, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo, Dominican Republic, Indonesia, Lebanon, Libya, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Romania, Sudan, Taiwan, Uganda and Uruguay.

Workshops are a joint effort of Iowa State University and the USDA's Agricultural Research Service, Animal and Plant Health Inspection service and the Foreign Agricultural Service.