News
STOP AI
Recruitment
BFC is actively recruiting specialists and experts to
participate within the STOP AI project.
Read more...
STOP AI
On March 6, 2007 the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) awarded Development Alternatives Inc. (DAI, Bethesda, MD, USA) a three-year/$36 million contract for Stamping Out Pandemic and Avian Influenza (STOP-AI).
The STOP-AI project is designed to play a critical role in the U.S. Government's efforts to limit the socio-economic impacts of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and minimize its global spread in birds and people. The ultimate goal of the project is to prevent opportunities for the HPAI to reproduce itself, thus reducing chances for the virus to evolve into a form which may be easily transmissible between humans, leading to a pandemic. This project responds to the fact that the best way to protect people from an animal virus is to detect, contain, and ideally eliminate the virus in animals.
Avian influenza is economically devastating for both commercial and backyard poultry producers, especially in developing countries where poultry is often the most important source of protein.
While an influenza pandemic could have worldwide catastrophic consequences, human populations in the poorest countries would be the hardest hit due to resources that are already limited. DAI has established itself as a leader in agriculture development in areas of need. Now they are at the forefront of U.S. Government efforts to ensure that avian flu is contained and controlled within bird populations we are proud to be part of this effort through STOP-AI.
STOP-AI is developing a roster of technical experts capable of deploying to developing countries in advisory and response roles, and helping threatened and affected countries to prepare for, respond to, and recover from outbreaks.
Working with other U.S. Government agencies, national governments, and key international and nongovernmental organization, the project will provide technical resources and support services in:
- preparedness planning, surveillance, and prevention
- outbreak response
- re-infection prevention and recovery
While focused on animal health threats and responses, STOP-AI also addresses the human health aspects of avian influenza, such as human exposure during poultry production and human welfare in outbreak situations. In short, STOP AI is a key mechanism for ensuring that the bird flu virus H5N1 does not evolve into a virulent strain transmissible among humans.
BFC, as partner of Development Alternatives, Inc. (DAI), plays an important role within the STOP AI program, being a subcontractor and partner within the STOP AI team. Other DAI subcontractors on the STOP-AI Project are:
- Macfadden & Associates, Inc.;
- MSH - Management Sciences for Health, Inc.;
- Michigan State University;
- QED Group, LLC;
- TRG - Training Resources Group, Inc.;
- UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine; and Winrock International.
Thus far the project has completed training of 75 Technical Advisor/Trainers, during three training session (two in the USA and one Senegal). These Advisor/Trainers were selected to represent a large number of countries, especially those already affected by HPAI. Within country trainings of government veterinarians are also a key component of outbreak response. Training materials have been developed personal protection, diagnosis, and decontamination. These materials were used for cascade trainings of 240 people and 11 trainers in Ghana (by Dr. Miles, BFC Bird Flu Control GmbH). Additional training materials being developed include manuals on biosecurity and surveillance.
BFC is actively recruiting specialists and experts to participate within the STOP AI project.
If you are interested and fit the qualifications, please send us a short bio sketch and updated curriculum vitae. Mr. Rubach of our recruitment department will contact you as soon as possible.