The Avian Influenza Roundup Newsletter Initiative

This initiative revolves around the use of a quarterly newsletter to spread the word about experiences with, and lessons learned from, avian influenza control efforts and initiatives supported by USAID/Indonesia. The publication features reports from the field, activity and training updates, success stories, and updates on the most pressing issues. For example, among the features in the inaugural issue (January 2008) is a report on a "bird flu contest for travelers" that was launched in October 2007 in Jakarta. As detailed here, the initiative incorporated key public health messages into entertaining seat covers which were installed in buses bound for the provinces during the Idul Fitri holiday. (The messages were depicted by cartoons to facilitate comprehension by people of all ages). The idea was that travelers could learn how to protect themselves against avian flu, and, upon reaching their home villages, hopefully share what they learned with their family and friends. In addition, as described here, a reward-based quiz/contest was included to further motivate travelers to pay attention to the messages. Each person taking part submitted their answers to questions testing bird flu knowledge by cellphone via short messaging service (SMS).

Health, Natural Resource Management.

Launched in August 2006, CBAIC works with government, private sector, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community groups and other stakeholders to strengthen the government of Indonesia's avian influenza (AI) planning and pandemic preparedness to minimise the risk of avian influenza infection and transmission in human and animal populations and to ensure quick and effective treatment and management of AI-infected humans and animals. CBAIC has developed a series of communication materials with AI prevention and containment messages targeted to high-risk populations, the general public, the press, and private sector to promote long-term behaviour change. In addition to the quarterly newsletter on avian flu prevention, CBAIC has developed a flipchart, pamphlet, and banner.