The 4th International Conference on Avian Influenza took place on 6-8 December in Bamako, Mali, and provided new insights into the disease and latest developments on national integrated strategies to combat it.

The Conference was also organized to promote, mobilize, and help coordinate financial support from the donor community for the national, regional and global response to highly pathogenic avian influenza and to support efforts at all levels to prepare for a possible human influenza pandemic. Thus, a new version of the Consolidated Action Plan for Avian and Human Influenza (AHI) was introduced at the Conference. Produced on behalf of UN technical agencies, the Plan is a comprehensive unified strategy for the UN system on pandemic influenza prevention, preparedness and response to control avian influenza. It builds on the AHI action plans, funds and programmes developed and implemented by each agency.

The ILO's tripartite structure places it in an extremely favorable position to address the concerns by governments, employers and workers engaged in combating AHI at the national and enterprise levels. Improvements in working conditions, including occupational safety and health, as well as dissemination of information on control measures (such as using appropriate protection, taking precautions and educating workers) are particularly relevant in terms of preventive actions. The ILO's conventions and other instruments provide regulatory a framework, support and advice enhancing national infrastructures, systems and programmes and strengthening national capacity for tackling AHI.

The ILO is part of this consolidated UN effort and its financial requirements for 2007 amount to a total of US$ 2,450,000. The consolidated document is also to be used to raise resources from ILO's constituents and other donors. The ILO efforts on this issue are coordinated by the Crisis Response and Reconstruction Programme.

Selected Internet Resources on Protecting Workers Against Avian Influenza

The International Occupational Safety and Health Information Centre (CIS) has made a list of selected internet resources providing information on the protection of workers against avian influenza. Prepared and made available by international and national organizations, the documents and guides address risks when working with poultry, in laboratories, as airline crews, etc. Control measures involve using appropriate protection, taking precautions and educating workers in order to prevent an outbreak in the human population.

 Access the CIS page on Protecting workers against avian influenza.