1. Central Asia Regional Health Security Workshop George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies 17-19 April 2012, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany Ms. Sharon I. Peyus / Mr. Robert Hutchinson COL Dr. Robert Lipnick Major Robin Ducker 18 April 2012 Breakout Session Scenario

2. Scenario #1 You receive a call from a member of your surveillance team in a community close to West China’s border. A 19-year old male student with flu-like symptoms has been admitted to the hospital. Kazakhstan lab tests found, detected, but have not determined if this is a case of H5N1. A preliminary assessment reveals the student recently returned from a two-week international exchange course in Germany. Your investigation into the source of the infection is ongoing. The public health impact appears to be serious and there may be significant risk of international spread (International Health Regulations Decision Instrument). Ministries of Health in Vietnam, West China and Indonesia have confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A (H5N1) virus. It now appears that you have an event that may constitute a public health emergency of international concern in your own country.

3. Group Participation Guidelines Divide participants into two groups to work together in developing responses to the questions that follow: Group 1 –Communications (timely, accurate, structured, consistent messaging to all sectors – preventing rumors and misinformation and to frame the event) –Security and Border Control (provide security support in the movement of materials, medicine and food and monitoring entry points into the country) Group 2 –Health (notification and reporting) –Logistics Preparedness (coordination of antiviral, personal protective equipment and/or vaccine distributions)

4. Participant Questions The Minister of Emergency Situations (MES) calls the team together who will carry out the initial assessment… –Under the International Health Regulations, the World Health Organization must be notified within 24 hours after having carried out the assessment –The MES asks the following…. 1.What pre-assessment activities would you conduct? 2.What public health information would you report to the World Health Organization? 3.What infection control measures would you employ? 4.This is an alarming event surrounded by a great deal of anxiety. What risk communication / key messaging would you convey?

5. Issues In using the multi-sector, “whole-of-society” approach, responses should challenge the following: Coordination and collaboration with local, regional, national, and international players (World Health Organization, United States Agency for International Development, United Nations, and others) Testing risk communications capabilities Identifying roles and responsibilities, policies, and authorities How best to effectively utilize limited resources Identifying any gaps (planning, preparedness, response, and the ability to continue essential functions, etc.)

6. Questions? Questions