[cid:image001.gif@01CF4F29.0E55C830] Call to stay alert for influenza A(H7N9) in China [cid:image012.jpg@01CF4F32.57574550]The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) urges people to stay alert for influenza A(H7N9), especially in light of the upcoming Qingming festival on 5 April 2014, which is celebrated in China and some of its neighbouring countries and will last approximately three days. The festival, which is a yearly family event for honouring ancestors, is predicted to correspond to an increase in the purchase, slaughter and consumption of poultry as people may travel back to their hometown to celebrate with their families...[Read more<http://www.fao.org/ag/againfo/programmes/en/empres/news_020414.html>] ________________________________ [cid:image013.jpg@01CF4F32.57574550]Avian disease surveillance guidelines for poultry market chains with a focus on live bird markets Avian diseases sometimes pose a threat to animal and human health. Veterinary epidemiologists have been working with public health officials on different strategies to improve surveillance and response to such emergent diseases. The goal of these efforts is to detect diseases early and to prevent transmission to animals and humans by working at the source of the disease. That means identifying and stopping new viruses in bird populations before they spread to other birds, or to people. Recent experience has shown that Live Bird Markets (LBMs) play an important role in the transmission and spread of avian pathogens...[Read more<http://www.fao.org/ag/againfo/programmes/en/empres/news_020414b.html>] ________________________________ [cid:image006.jpg@01CF4F29.0E55C830]FAO to collaborate with international NGO (CORDS) in supporting disease surveillance networks globally Animal diseases have increasingly become major global health threats. This is due to factors of change like trends in unregulated livestock intensification, climate change, trade and globalization. The need to increase information exchange amongst nations and research institutes on pathogen behaviour is crucial to preventing, early detection and controlling the emergence and spread of animal diseases...[Read more<http://www.fao.org/ag/againfo/programmes/en/empres/news_020414c.html>] ________________________________ [cid:image007.jpg@01CF4F29.0E55C830]FAO supports improving veterinary services in Yemen ::: News from the FAO Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa The Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation Fred Mujwwar attended on Sunday a closing ceremony of the 2nd training program aiming to qualify veterinarians in local communities. The 30-day training program was organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation in cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and was attended by 18 trainees from Hajjah province...[Read more<http://neareast.fao.org/Pages/NewsDetails.aspx?ID=2408330&lang=EN&I=0&DId=0&CId=0&CMSId=5003133>] ________________________________ Latest publication [cid:image008.jpg@01CF4F29.0E55C830]FAO-ECTAD Viet Nam Newsletter Oct. 2013-Feb. 2014 ::: [Download PDF<http://www.fao.org/docrep/019/aq717e/aq717e.pdf>] Inside * FAO ECTAD Viet Nam contributes to the preparedness plan for H7N9 control prevention * The search for viruses that could create the next global pandemic * A value chain analysis of spent hens in Northern Viet Nam ________________________________ Upcoming events * 16th International Congress on Infectious Diseases<http://www.isid.org/icid/> 2-5 April 2014 (Bruxelles, Belgium) * FLURISK workshop 4 April 2014 (Parma, Italy) * Ensuring Health & Sustainability in Europe: Doctors and Veterinarians emphasize "prevention is better than cure"<http://www.fve.org/news/presentations.php#C1> 7 April 2014 (Bruxelles, Belgium) * OFFLU/STAR-IDAZ influenza research agenda meeting 8-9 April 2014 (Paris, France OIE) ________________________________ Interesting links * ANSES is appointed FAO Reference Centre for brucellosis<http://www.anses.fr/en/content/anses-appointed-fao-reference-centre-brucellosis> * Bird flu temporarily controlled<http://en.vietnamplus.vn/Home/Bird-flu-temporarily-controlled/20144/48273.vnplus> Vietnam+ e-news ::: 01/04/2014 | 19:48:28 EMPRES website ::: http://www.fao.org/AG/empres.html For comments or suggestions ::: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> [cid:image009.gif@01CF4F29.0E55C830]<https://www.flickr.com/photos/empres-animal_health/sets/> [cid:image010.gif@01CF4F29.0E55C830] <http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLB58F4D829B7883FD> [cid:image011.gif@01CF4F29.0E55C830] <https://twitter.com/FAOAnimalHealth> ######################################################################## To unsubscribe from the EMPRES-Livestock-L list, click the following link: &*TICKET_URL(EMPRES-Livestock-L,SIGNOFF);