The participatory disease surveillance and response (PDSR) approach to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Indonesia has evolved significantly from the participatory disease surveillance (PDS) system developed for rinderpest eradication in Africa and Pakistan. The first phase of the PDSR project emphasized the detection and control of HPAI by separate PDS and participatory disease response teams primarily in sector 4 poultry at the household level. Lessons learned during the first phase were taken into account in the design of the second phase of the project, which has sought to further strengthen management of disease prevention and control activities by improving technical approaches, increasing active participation of key stakeholders, including local and central governments, and focusing on the village level. The ongoing evolution of the PDSR program aims to establish a sustainable community-based program within provincial and district livestock services that enhances the prevention and control of not only HPAI, but also other zoonotic and priority animal diseases.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) subtype H5N1 is now endemic in large parts of Indonesia and this situation has revealed, among other constraints, a lack of human resource capacity in many institutions especially in terms of understanding of, and experience in, the control of poultry diseases. Cost-efficient prevention and control of HPAI must be built on a sustainable poultry health programme that incorporates collaborative research and development activities involving the public and private sectors. The programme should provide appropriate education, communication and services to: all poultry producers, workers and traders; community animal health workers; field veterinarians, livestock officers and extension workers; and senior-decision makers at national, provincial and district levels. Lessons learnt in the production of effective education and communication materials that are readily accessible to each target audience are described.

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