Press Release

Public Affairs Office
Embassy of the United States of America
Rue Bartholonie, P.O. Box. 114
Vientiane, Laos.

Tel:  (856-21) 267229
Fax: (856-21) 267160
Website: http://laos.usembassy.gov
November 26, 2008

US Provides Additional PPE Packages to Laos

Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy to Laos, Mr. Peter Haymond, (Left) hands over 3,000 packages of Personal Protective Equipment to National Avian and Human Influenza Coordination Office Deputy Director General, Mr. Viyolinh Phrasavath

The Embassy of the United States of American takes great pleasure in the continued support of Lao PDR National avian influenza (AI) pandemic preparedness planning and response efforts. In recognizing this important contribution by the U.S. Department of Defense through the U.S. CDC – WHO Lao Collaboration, of Protective Equipment (PPE) to the National Avian and Human Influenza Coordination Office (NAHICO), to insure the safety and well being of Lao Military personal in combating the threat of pandemic avian influenza. Three thousand PPE packages with a dollar value of $60,000 will be deployed for the purpose of infection control, clinical case management, and rapid response, and containment functions. An additional five thousand PPE packages with a value of $100,000 will be distributed to military, and provincial Human and Animal Health Department from the northern provinces participating in an avian and pandemic influenza workshop supported by the U.S. Department of Defense/Pacific Command in partnership with NAHICO, in Luangbrabang, 17-19 November 2008. It is anticipated that this PPE provision will equip health staffs in protecting themselves both at the national, provincial, and district levels. Each package includes mask, gown, booties, gloves, and wipes. The U.S. Government recognizes and applauds continuing efforts by NAHICO and the Ministry of Defense in addressing those challenges brought on by avian influenza. This contribution reflects our confidence in NAHICO and the Lao military and is part of a larger commitment on the part of the U.S. Government in support of AI pandemic preparedness activities in which over 12 million USD has been distributed in the Lao PDR to-date”.