By Bernadette H. Carreon
Horizon news staff

A table top exercise was carried out by the Avian Influenza Response Team last week as part of the training to prepare for the impact in case there is an outbreak.
Joe Tiobech, Bureau of Agriculture Director said that during the table top exercise various scenarios were discussed to gain understanding on how to face certain challenges during a pandemic outbreak.
Tiobech said that the Royal Australian Navy assessed the exercise who gave them a high rating for a well organized exercise.
One of the hypothetical scenario was that there was an outbreak of avian influenza at Ngchesar Dock Farm.
He said that after the reported outbreak the red button is activated and a command center is set up.
The response team is then mobilized to go to the site to contain the outbreak.
Tiobech said that the table top exercise was given a high rating also for mobility.
The exercise brought together response team from the BA, Department of Environmental Health, Environmental Quality Protection Board, Marine Law, Koror State and the Bureau of Public Safety.
He said a drill will be scheduled as part of the training in responding to a pandemic outbreak.