Islamabad, August 28, 2009 - Ms. Jenet Paz-Castillo, Health Office Chief, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Pakistan, today officially handed over $18,704 worth of personal protective equipment (PPE) kits along with Infectious Substance Insulated Shipper to help Pakistan cope with outbreaks of bird flu.

"This gear will limit the risk of bird-to-human infection during outbreak response activities such as disposing of infected poultry and decontaminating poultry raising areas," said Ms. Paz-Castillo.

Pakistan is the 24th country throughout Asia and the Near East that has experienced outbreaks of Avian Influenza, particularly from the H5N1 strain of the virus which kills many birds. In 2008 alone, 535 new outbreaks of Avian Influenza in were reported in 21 countries. Of that number, 51 cases were reported from Pakistan.

"These most recent outbreaks of H5NI (Swine flu) remind us how critical such efforts are in containing Avian Influenza. All relevant ministries, offices and units must remain vigilant in their battles to detect and contain this virus," said Ms. Paz-Castillo.

The protective suits, respirators, goggles and gloves will be distributed to people who come in direct contact with poultry infected with the Avian Influenza virus. The gear will limit the risk of animal-to-animal and animal-to-human infection during outbreak response activities such as disposing of infected poultry and decontaminating poultry raising areas.

The donation was received by Dr. Khurshid Ahmed, Deputy Animal Husbandry Commissioner and Dr. Akram Munir, Project Director, National Program for Prevention and Control of Avian Influenza, Ministry of Livestock and Dairy Development on behalf of the Government of Pakistan.

Since 2002, the US Government has provided more than $3.4 billion to Pakistan for improvements in economic growth, education, health, governance, and assistance for earthquake reconstruction.