More than 60 representatives from APEC economies explored the role of risk communications during an infectious disease outbreak, at a workshop in Da Nang on May 2-3 on the eve of the APEC Ministerial Meeting on avian and influenza pandemics.

“Risk communications must be looked upon as a public health intervention that is equally as important as other interventions like social distancing and vaccination,” said Ian Shugart, chair of the APEC Task Force and host of the workshop.

The workshop was designed to enhance risk communications and public awareness campaigns at a local level in areas where there is the potential for an avian influenza outbreak. Delegates sought to build risk communication capacity, particularly in developing economies, by providing practical tools to help develop national and regional communications strategies.

The workshop included a number of sessions addressing various issues related to effective domestic and regional pandemic preparedness communications. Feedback from workshop will be provided to the APEC Ministerial Meeting on Avian and Influenza Pandemics that began in Da Nang on May 4.

Nine APEC economies have suffered bird flu outbreaks and four economies have experienced human cases of H5N1 influenza. In addition to social costs, the spread of avian H5N1 influenza across Asia and into Europe has devastated the poultry industry in affected areas, resulting in economic losses worth US$15billion.