1. FAO’s work addressing risks due to
A/H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza
(HPAI) in Egypt
FAO RNE Resilience Workshop
Feb. 8-10, 2015

2. Background
Egypt poultry sector and population
Estimated to reach over 1.5 billion
Modern and traditional poultry farming systems co-
exist side by side – poor biosecurity
Poultry production is an important part of the
agricultural economic sector
Over 7.5 million households engaged in Sector 4
poultry sector, which serves as the basis of their
livelihoods
Any shock in the poultry production system would
lead to major economic, social and public health crisis

3. Background (Cont…)
A/H5N1 HPAI reportedly introduced in Egypt, in
February 2006
 Egypt is one of the hardest hit HPAI endemic countries in
the world and suffered from considerable economic loss
and human casualties
In 2006 alone over 40 million poultry were culled
To date, a total of 246 human cases were officially
reported with 89 (36.18%) case fatality rates
 Weak veterinary services with low legislative reinforcement
capacity is ascribed as a major contributory factor to the
wide spread and endemicity of H5N1 HPAI in Egypt
 The ECTAD Unit was established in 2007 as part of FAO’s
response to the HPAI epizootic crisis and to coordinate/
lead various activities

4. FAO’s actions – Implemented various national and
regional projects worth over USD 20 million
Four Major Areas of Focus
1. FAO’s support to GoE mainly focused on strengthening the institutional
capacities of the veterinary services and enhancing the national
preparedness and response capacity to pathogens of pandemic potentials:
Establishment of national epidemio-surveillance and response systems and networking
Epi-Units established in all 230 districts and 27 governorates (Offices refurbished,
equipment and series of tailor-made hands-on training provided)
Computerized TADInfo database management system customized and instituted
Capacity for risk analysis and early warning systems developed
Different risk-based surveillance tools designed and their implementation supported
A robust virological and molecular diagnostic capacity established
Laboratory personnel received various trainings (in-country and abroad)
Equipment, reagents and other consumables provided
Networking with other international and WRLs established
Networking with laboratories within the country
NB: Today NLQP can:
provided confirmatory diagnosis for HPAI in a couple of hours,
independently carry out sequence and gen (phylogenetic) analysis
stand as the best lab for poultry diseases in the region

5. FAO’s actions (Cont…)
2. Developing appropriate policies, strategies and other relevant instruments to support
progressive and sustained disease control efforts
 HPAI control strategy
 Compensation policy
 AI Vaccination strategy with exit plan
 Risk-based surveillance plans
3. Forging functional public-private partnerships (PPP) and coordination of different actors with the
spirit of harnessing the ‘One Health’ agenda
 Four-way linking (tripartite initiative) (Animal and public heath sectors)
 One Health (OH) platform
 Universities and research institutions
 Civic society (Egy. Poultry Association, camel importer’s association, etc)
 Private sector (laboratories, practitioners, pharmaceutical comp., poultry producers, etc)
4. Promoting effective behavioural and social communication – with focus on implementation of
feasible farm biosecurity measures and safe poultry production
 BCC and Advocacy strategy
 Implementation/Action plan
 Community-based animal health outreach

6. All these capacities support the control
of other high-impact TADs and
emerging pathogens of pandemic
potential

7. All these capacities support the control of
other high-impact TADs and emerging
pathogens of pandemic potential