[Press-releases] [Press release] SPC launches new service to combat infectious diseases

[Christelle Lepers]

Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC)
PRESS RELEASE

SPC launches new service to combat infectious diseases

Noumea, New Caledonia, Friday 17 February 2006 - The Secretariat of the
Pacific Community (SPC) will launch the Pacific Regional Infection
Control Network (PICNet) next week during a meeting to be held from 20
to 24 February at Lautoka, Fiji Islands. PICNet is designed to
facilitate infection control response to infectious disease threats in
the region, through better communication, accessibility of expertise and
technical advice.

The meeting in Lautoka has been organised within the framework of the
Pacific Public Health Surveillance Network (PPHSN) with financial
assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Participants will
include infection control professionals and experts from Pacific Island
countries and territories and neighbouring countries. 

Infection control, particularly in health-care facilities, is recognised
as a critical element in interrupting transmission of infectious
diseases - a fact that was vividly demonstrated during the outbreak of
severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 2003. The idea of PICNet
arose during a PPHSN meeting held just after the SARS outbreak. Given
recent infectious disease threats (e.g. the possible risk of an
influenza pandemic), there is an urgent need to reinforce the region's
infection control capacity. 

There are wide disparities in how infection control is managed in the
region. Some countries have organised activities and programmes, while
others do not. The countries that are organised could provide models and
resources for those that lack such programmes. This will be possible
through PICNet. At the meeting next week, participants will share their
views and experiences and identify the resources required to set up and
operate the network. 

Ten years ago, SPC created PPHSN in collaboration with the World Health
Organization with the aim of combating outbreaks of communicable
diseases. The target diseases of the network currently include dengue
fever, measles, rubella, influenza, leptospirosis, typhoid, cholera,
SARS and HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. PICNet will
complement and reinforce PPHSN in the battle against infectious
diseases.

For more information, please contact: 

Ms Peta-Anne Zimmerman, Infection Control Specialist/ADB Consultant to
PPHSN, email: petaannez at spc.int - Tel.: (679) 6 664 777 (Tanoa
Waterfront Hotel in Lautoka switchboard)
or
Dr Tom Kiedzynski, Epidemiologist, SPC, email: tomk at spc.int 
Tel.: (679) 6 664 777 (Tanoa Waterfront Hotel in Lautoka switchboard)

Or check the PPHSN website: http://www.spc.int/phs/PPHSN/index.htm


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