Avian influenza outbreak exercise: evaluation

5. Annex B: Survey Monkey Questions

The objectives

To explore procedures that would be applied for the control of an avian influenza outbreak in an integrated broiler production company and surrounding area. To;

• explore incident management; decision-making in response to an outbreak of HPAI H5N1 within a large commercial business;
• identify appropriate disease control and licensing measures;
• enable policy and regulatory bodies to gain an improved understanding of the operational aspects of the business and the wider pathways involved in poultry production;
• enable the company to appreciate the regulatory framework during disease control;
• examine the co-ordination and flow of information between SG/APHA/the producer;
• identify key tasks, roles and capability/capacity gaps for partners involved in an HPAI H5N1 outbreak and
• ensure that actions and owners are identified who will address identified gaps.

1. Do you think the objectives of the exercise were met?

• Yes
• No, or partially – please provide details

Yes - 92.31% - No 7.69%

Comments – From a production company point of view clarification needed on what decisions would/should be made regarding eggs and chicks from the day AI is confirmed. Clear information on storage of infected litter and what is acceptable for the disposal of dirty wash water

2. Has your understanding of contingency planning and policies around the control of an outbreak of avian influenza improved since the exercise?

• Yes
• No, or partially – please provide details

Yes 76.92 % - No 23.08%

Comments – As per answer to previous question. There was too much use and reliance on acronyms. When the discussion became technical some of the attendees were lost which reduced the positive impact of the training

3. To improve your ability to respond to an avian influenza outbreak, what follow-up action or changes would you make to your own plans/preparedness?

Comments – Annual contingency visits to hatcheries would allow APHA staff to understand the operation and help speed up decision making.

Clear guidance required from SEPA on when wash water can be spread to land and what treatment is required for infected wash water

Do more preparatory work now.

Not much change coming from one organisation however whilst preparing for the exercise they had a greater understanding of what action should be taken during an outbreak

4. Do you feel adequately informed about the licensing process?

• Yes
• No, or partially – please provide details

Yes 61.54% - Partially /No

Comment - To create as standard a set of licences as possible

Although unclear about what licences should be issued feel re-assured that the specialist in that area very aware of the process and procedures.

Clarity around whether licences required an application

5. If we were to repeat an avian influenza exercise, are there any particular topics which should be covered?

Comments – Forward Operating Base (FOB) perspective of an AI outbreak.

Would like further work on translating science into cleansing and disinfecting practices

Whilst the topics were good a better understanding of the hatchery's needs.

All large integrated poultry companies will have certain critical control points e.g., hatcheries, egg stores or packing stations that if restricted will cause major problems for affected companies. Any exercises focussing on these larger companies would be particularly useful

The role of epidemiology and how an outbreak would be managed corporately.

6. Please provide comments on the delivery of the day (including format and venue).

Comments - Well delivered by the facilitator with a lot of interaction from all parties involved on the day and the venue was great. Tremendous knowledge present in the room was appreciated.

Format and venue worked well. The format allowed us to rapidly focus on some important issues

Format effective – venue was small but stimulated good discussion