26th Conference of the OIE Regional Commission for Asia

Table 4. Simulation exercises performed in Asia, the Far East and Oceania in 2008 and 2009
OIE Member Scope of the exercise Dates
Australia Foot and mouth disease 31 July to 12 November 2009
United States of America Foot and mouth disease and anthrax 18 to 24 June 2009
United States of America-
Canada Foot and mouth disease 16 to 19 June 2009
United States of America Rift Valley fever 18 to 20 November 2008
Australia Classical swine fever 18 to 20 November 2008
Australia Avian influenza 11 and 12 November 2008
Australia Foot and mouth disease 29 and 30 October 2008
Australia Swine disease 21 and 22 October 2008
Singapore Highly pathogenic avian influenza 10 January 2008
146. In its report for this Regional Conference, Bhutan informed the OIE of national simulation
exercises for an HPAI outbreak (table top exercise and field simulation). Details of the
simulation exercises could not be distributed through the OIE distribution list since they were
not received at the OIE Headquarters in time. To inform the OIE of a forthcoming simulation
exercise, OIE Delegates are requested to send details by email to the OIE Animal Health
Information Department (information.dept@oie.int). This will ensure that there is sufficient
time to retransmit the information via the OIE distribution list.
147. The OIE has also asked all Members to share their contingency plans by posting them on the
OIE Web site. The OIE renews its request to Members in Asia, the Far East and Oceania to
send their new contingency plans to the OIE if they are in one of the OIE’s official languages.
148. Bhutan has prepared a National Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan, updated in October
2008, which includes training of trainers and of field staff, simulation exercises, and
preparation of standard operating procedures for HPAI outbreaks.
149. The China State Council has formulated a “Regulation on Major Animal Diseases Emergency
Response” and a “National Contingency Plan for Major Animal Disease Outbreaks”.
150. India indicates that contingency plans are developed from time to time to tackle diseases
which are emerging or exotic. The Government of India developed a contingency plan on
‘Preparedness, Control & Containment of Avian Influenza in India’ in 2005, which was
subsequently revised in 2006 and is again under revision on the basis of the experience gained
in tackling outbreaks in backyard poultry.
151. Iraq has a contingency plan for rinderpest disease, which was included with the application
submitted to the OIE for recognition of freedom from the disease, and a contingency plan for
avian influenza prepared by the Department of Epidemiology. The latter plan is currently
being implemented and updates are made as and when necessary.
152. The Government of Maldives has developed a national contingency plan for HPAI. A National
Committee on Bird Flu Prevention and Control was constituted and has been operational since
September 2005. The contingency plan is reviewed whenever new guidelines become available
and now forms the basis for H1N1 influenza preparedness.
153. A contingency plan for the control of HPAI in Myanmar was published in 2005 before the
country’s first outbreak of HPAI. This contingency plan was revised in 2007 and 2008 to meet
the update requirements. The plan covers several topics, such as international policies and
cooperation on HPAI, the occurrence of avian influenza in Asia and Pacific, climatic conditions,
inspection teams for the control of avian influenza, control measures, surveillance and
diagnostic capabilities, vaccination, public awareness and financial assistance.
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