Region 8 Avian Flu Task Force Trains Info Officers on Behavioral Change Communication

At the end of September 2007, a seminar workshop on communicating avian influenza was held for information officers, members of the Region 8 Avian Flu Task Force, and members of the Philippine local government. The goal of the workshop, held in Ormoc City, Philippines, was to increase the bird flu knowledge and awareness of the participants.

The workshop was planned for this particular time due to the migration of birds through local wetlands in the months of September and October. In order to provide a context for the participants, a visit to the wetlands in Leyte was the first activity in the seminar.

According to the article, the training focused on ways to communicate avian influenza effectively, without generating fear in people. Participants prepared a communication plan on bird flu and put together press releases and radio or television plugs about avian flu prevention.