U.S. Provides Additional Funding for Avian Flu Fight in India

KOLKATA | February 21, 2008

The U.S. Consulate in Kolkata announced today that the United States will provide an additional Rs. 4.4 million (US$110,000) for control of Avian Influenza in India following the recent outbreaks in the country. This funding, provided through the U.S. Agency for International Development, will support technical assistance to the Government of India and state governments’ communication programs to prevent the further spread of Avian Influenza.

Assistance will be provided to states at risk from the recent outbreaks -- Bihar, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal -- focusing on backyard poultry farmers and vulnerable communities.

In fiscal year 2007, the U.S. government provided approximately $4.7 million for U.S.-India collaborative programs on seasonal influenza, avian influenza, and pandemic preparedness.

The U.S. Agency for International Development will partner with UNICEF, the Government of India and state governments to implement the national Avian Influenza communication strategy.

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