Senior Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands last Thursday tested the nation's ability to respond to animal disease outbreaks, particularly avian influenza (bird flu).

Dr. Headley Edwards, director of veterinary services in the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, explained that the mock exercise was intended to evaluate the level of the country's preparedness in the event of an actual outbreak of bird flu. The simulation exercise took place in Old Harbour, St. Catherine.

"While there is no avian influenza outbreak in Jamaica at this time, it is important for us to be able to respond efficiently to contain and eliminate any possible outbreaks and Jamaica has to take a proactive approach to the matter of disease prevention," he said.

Local participants included government, employed and private veterinarians, animal health technicians, public health officials, the police, the military, representatives from the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, National Environ-mental and Planning Agency, the Jamaica Fire Brigade, and ambulance services.

He noted that participants from 11 CARICOM (Caribbean Community) countries, including Barbados, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada and Dominica, The Cayman Islands, and Suriname, participated in the exercise. This is the first simulation exercise being held for avian influenza in the region.

"In looking at our national response, we have taken into consideration, that there are a number of activities which must take place, some of which have already been done," Dr. Edwards said.