The ASEAN Foundation in cooperation with the Information Technology Research Institute (ITRI) formally launched last 8 December 2008, the project dubbed as the Communication and Information Systems to Combat Avian Influenza (CISCAI), in a ceremony held at the conference room of National Authority for Science and Technology (NAST) in Vientiane, Laos PDR.

The event was launched by Dr. Filemon A. Uriarte, Jr. ASEAN Foundation Executive Director, and Acting Director General of ITRI, Mr. Phonpasit Phissamay. The event was also graced by key agency partners of the CISCAI, such as the ASEAN Department of the Lao Ministry Foreign Affairs, National Avian and Human Influenza Coordination Office (NAHICO), the Cooperation division from NAST, the Ministry of Heath, Ministry of Agriculture and Forest, and local media.

Avian Influenza (AI), or Bird Flu, has recently emerged as a disease of global significance in both the animal as well as human health sectors. The ailment has taken a heavy toll in terms of substantial losses in the poultry sector around the world, and in particular has caused about 400 human cases with about 250 reported deaths since 2003. As of 28 May 2008, there were 383 confirmed human cases and 241 reported deaths due to Avian Influenza (AI) around the world. Out of these, 274 cases and 186 deaths were found in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Member Countries, making the Southeast Asia region a hotspot for AI infections and fatalities and therefore a reason for global health concern.

To successfully combat AI, it needs early detection. Hence, it is necessary to catch or spot AI early on, and then try to nip it in the bud by timely and swift response. For this to occur, the CISCAI project will deploy a suite of information and communications technologies (ICT) that will be field-tested initially in two selected pilot countries, namely; Lao PDR and Viet Nam. Among the ICT technologies that will be employed include a combination of Geographical Information System (GIS), Global Positioning System (GPS), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) technologies and the Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) data service such as Short Message Service (SMS), and Global Packet Radio System (GPRS). The purpose of the study is to gauge the performance of these developed systems in terms of the hardware, software and people ware aspects, in order to provide the requisite and timely information for concerned officials to act in a rapid manner for the effective control and management of AI outbreaks within the ASEAN region.

The threat of the Avian Influenza on human populations is real. The virus itself does not consider any geographical boundaries and only regional and global efforts through a coordinated approach such as that of the CISCAI, and with the use of sound science and technology such as information and communications technologies, can we achieve success in controlling and managing the threat. As such Laos PDRs participation in this monumental project, says Dr. Uriarte, stressing on the vital role Laos PDR will be playing in the successful implementation of the project.

The launching ceremony comes in timely since just last December 4, a few days before the launching ceremony, the Laos Xayaboury Provincial Avian Influenza Control Committee had declared an AI red zone which covers areas within a 1kilometer radius of the outbreak. This zone includes the seven villages of Donngeun, Donmay, Boung, Phapoun, Simeuang, Kaeng and Thin of Laos PDR.

The CISCAI Project is expected to run for 3 years with a total budget of around USD 1 million. The project is being funded under the Japan-ASEAN Solidarity Fund.

source : CISCAI (8 DECEMBER 2008, Vientiane , Lao PDR)