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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Tula Michaelides, MPH and Dee Bennett. Global Health Marketing Group, Academy for Educational Development, 1825 Connecticut Avenue, Washington, DC 20036, 202-884-8743, tmichaelides@aed.org

This presentation outlines the development of an emergency communications process aiming to reduce and control the spread of avian influenza in areas where an outbreak has been reported. The process is intended to not only get rapid-response prevention messages across, but also to develop capacity and strengthen infrastructure at the local, regional and national level to expand the possibility that these evidence-based behaviors are carried out over the long-term. Key planning steps and training suggestions will be provided, with the end objectives being: (1) to increase awareness among key target audiences of high-risk behaviors for contracting avian influenza, practical preventive measures, and how to recognize and respond to cases of avian influenza in animals and humans (the key audiences include backyard farmers, consumers of poultry, and health care and veterinary staff); and (2) to establish partnerships to support planning and preparation for mitigating the impact of a potential avian influenza pandemic. The presentation will provide samples of emergency messages that can be used for farmers, policy makers and the general public, and will offer examples of training modules for parts of the multi--step process.

Learning Objectives: At the end of this session, participants will be able to

• List steps in a process to develop emergency communications on avian influenza
• Hear about emergency messages that have already been developed to prevent and control the spread of avian flu
• Understand some of the limitations and challenges involved in emergency communications planning.

Keywords: Outbreaks, Risk Communication

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered