By Nazario Rodriguez Jr.
Horizon news staff

The Avian Influenza Response Team (AIRT) recently held another sample collecting exercise training at the quarantine office in Malakal.
The training is just part of the yearlong program for the AIRT and the government’s effort to monitor and prevent the entry of the dreaded disease into the country.
Among the agencies involved are Bureau of Agriculture, Department of Environmental Health, Koror State Government Sanitation Division, Environmental Quality Protection Board, Immigration office and Marine Law Enforcement.
The AIRT is a sub-committee of the umbrella team of the Avian Influenza Team, which President Remengesau created through an Executive Order following the outbreak of the so-called bird flu in other countries, mostly in Asia.
Based on the tentative schedule, the response team had farm visits and disinfections exercise between Dec. 18-22.
The following are the monthly tentative schedule of activities for the AIRT for 2007, a copy of which was released last Friday by BOA Director Fred Sengebau:
January 15-19 (Table Top and sample collection, Review the plans and PPE/sample collection, active surveillance Agriculture); February 12-16 (Second Table Top/Full scenario at Aimeliik Subelek Farm); March (Southwest Table Top); April 9-13 (First full drill exercise); May 9-16-23 (Specific drill exercise);
June 18-22 (Table Top incorporate in humane cases); July (Surveillance and suspected cases); August 20-24 (Second drill); Sept (Donning/Removal-PPE); Oct. (Humane Slaughter and Carcass disposal); Nov. (Disinfections and Quarantine Area); Dec. (Evaluation).