Ambassador: Sheiry Dhillon
There are three main levels to pandemic preparedness which include:
* Interpandemic period, planning and preparedness: This period occurs when there have been case reports of animal influenza outbreak but low risk of transmission to animals. At this point, establishing surveillance in animals and humans is the main goal and strengthening the communications between different sectors.
* Pandemic Alert (emergency and pre-emptive response): This period of pandemic planning occurs when there have been reported cases of human infected patients, only through close contacts. This phase is to prevent severe furtherance of the spread of influenza into the general population.
* Pandemic (minimizing impact): At this point, widespread of the pandemic has occurred, and an essential health and contingency plan is required. Social distancing must be severely heightened.
A major area of pandemic concern for Bangladesh is the spread of Avian Influenza. Bangladesh encountered its first case of Avian Influenza (A/H5N1) in March 2007, and cases have been reported in both birds and humans. Throughout South East Asia, the pandemic is at the Pandemic Alert stage, where well over 100 laboratory cases have been confirmed. Therefore, Bangladesh (and surrounding countries) must focus their attention towards the “Pandemic Alertness stage” while preparing for the “minimizing impact” stage.
2. How would you as the WHO Ambassador of your country address this issue?
As a WHO Ambassador for my country I would look for ways to improve pandemic preparedness internally and externally. Internally, improvement of the health system and preparation for pandemic preparedness are vital. Externally, I would build allies to assist in the process of strengthening the pandemic preparedness plan.
3. How has your country addressed Pandemics in the past? What would you have done differently?
Bangladesh has presently various policies and programs in place to deal with the risk of Avian Flu, however, it is identified that effective risk communication strategy is needed, and would likely be the area of focus for improvement. Personally, it seems to me that Bangladesh implements programs, policies on the level of the state or government, but has issues communicating this to the people on a micro level; this disconnect would be my area of focus and improvement.
4. Which countries do you see yourself becoming allies or rivals with? Why?
The countries to likely become allies are the ones that are geographically located in similar areas and are likely to be experiencing similar pandemics and issues with Avian Flu. As seen in the map below, the Avian flu specifically is attacking the countries of Asia. These are likely the countries to become allies for Bangladesh.
Your browser may not support display of this image. White- No Avian Flu
Yellow- Avian Flu in Wild Birds
Orange- Avian Flu in domestic poultry
Red- Human Avian Flu cases