Combating Avian Influenza

Live bird markets and the poultry supply chain have been recognized as high-risk sites for transmission of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 virus (HPAI) among poultry and from birds to humans. Preventing this transmission, and reducing the possibility of a global influenza pandemic, is a significant public health priority throughout Southeast Asia.

Through our Healthy Markets Program in Indonesia, CHF International has successfully collaborated with traditional markets in Aceh, South Sulawesi and Tangerang Municipality to improve environmental conditions, promote practices that reduce the risk of exposure to and transmission of HPAI, all the while improving the economic livelihoods of market vendors and poultry slaughterers. Since 1952, CHF has served as a catalyst for sustainable and transformational development for communities and institutions in over 100 countries worldwide. In Indonesia, CHF’s programs over the last four years have focused on disaster response and reconstruction, economic development, and water and sanitation improvements. By expanding incomes, providing decent housing, and improving sanitation and community infrastructure, CHF’s work has fundamentally improved the public health environment for thousands of people in the communities where we work.

CHF's Approach to Avian Flu

CHF’s three-pronged approach to reducing the risk of market-based disease transmission is based on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) healthy market guidelines as well as international best practices and Government of Indonesia (GoI) policy. In addition to strengthening the economic viability of traditional markets and small enterprises throughout the poultry supply chain, CHF’s interventions aim to foster and develop:

> Positive Change in Community Behavior: CHF promotes sustained behavior change of vendors through the adoption of good hygiene, sanitation and better business practices (i.e. value-adding food preservation and storage practices); customers to drive demand for improved market conditions, practices and enhanced food safety; and market management, staff and inspection agencies to develop and enforce measures to ensure healthy and hygienic markets. CHF achieves this by implementing participatory and ongoing behavior change interventions.

> Greater Institutional Capacity & Support: CHF strengthens the policy environment surrounding traditional markets through supporting and facilitating improved regulations, inspection and enforcement by local governments and inspection agencies. These inspections serve to protect the health of poultry related businesses and consumers. CHF also facilitates organizational development and enhanced capacity of management of traditional markets to promote orderly, adequately financed, cleaned and hygienic marketplaces resulting in high vendor/customer satisfaction.

> Improved and Appropriate Technology: CHF supports low-cost, functional, sustainable, and environmentally friendly interventions, all designed through a participatory process. Appropriate technology – such as equipment, food safety and product value-adding technology, market renovations and/or infrastructure rehabilitation - enables the market community to more effectively reduce the risk of HPAI and other infectious disease transmission and improve the quality of vendor products.

Download the full fact sheet about CHF's work combating Avian flu below