PRESS RELEASE

August 14, 2009

U.S. Supports Field Epidemiologist Training to Avert, Control Disease Outbreaks

Hanoi, August 14, 2009 -- The United States Government has provided funding and technical assistance to support Vietnam’s first hands-on training of officials specialized in preventing and controlling possible future outbreaks of diseases like the pandemic H1N1 influenza and avian influenza.

Vietnam’s Ministry of Health this week launched a two-year field epidemiology training program (FETP) in collaboration with the World Health Organization with funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Avian and Human Pandemic Influenza Joint Government/United Nations System Program. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provided technical assistance.

Developed since 2007 in line with the Ministry of Health’s master plan, the program -- and the trainee fellows -- are expected to strengthen the public health system and improve the health of the population.  FETP fellows, based in regional disease surveillance institutes, will gain valuable skills in disease surveillance, response, management, and public communication.

Through on-the-job mentorship and training, the fellows will contribute immediately to disease surveillance and response activities and are expected to join the ranks of Vietnam’s leading epidemiologists.

Since 2005, the U.S. Government has provided more than $33.5 million to support Vietnam’s programs to combat avian influenza.