US provides additional funds to fight Avian Influenza in India

Kolkata, Feb 21 (UNI) The US Consulate in Kolkata today announced that the United States will provide an additional 1,10,000 US dollars to fight Avian Influenza in India, following the recent outbreak in the country.

The funding, provided through the US Agency for International Development, will support technical assistance to the Central and State Governments' communication programmes to prevent further spread of Avian Influenza.

Assistance will specially be provided to states facing the maximum risk - Bihar, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

The US Agency for International Development will coordinate their efforts with UNICEF, the Union Government and State governments to implement the National Avian Influenza Communication Strategy.

In the last fiscal, the US Government provided approximately 4.7 million US dollars for the US - India collaborative programmes on seasonal influenza, avian influenza and pandemic preparedness.

UNI LL KK SBC RN1850