Strategies underlying this initiative rest on the observation that many of the key steps involved in avian flu prevention are relatively basic and similar to common hygiene practices. Organisers hold that effective community-based education - that is, informing a wide public about the modes of transmission and what high-risk practices should be avoided, as well as attention to personal hygiene - can have a significant impact on controlling the disease.

The ERCS is using all its structures to reach communities and provide the necessary information. For instance, this initiative draws on a large, nationwide network of youth/volunteers and their access to vulnerable communities, as well as on ERCS's experience in social mobilisation gained through previous vaccination awareness campaigns conducted in coordination with the MOH. Drawing on these connections and experience, ERCS volunteers and staff are undertaking:

1. Public health education about the dangers of sick birds and signs and symptoms of the illness in humans
2. Public health education on hygiene and proper handling of the birds and poultry
3. Coordination with local authorities and other organisations to assist in environmental protection
4. Monitoring and reporting on outbreaks
5. Support and assistance to households affected by the epidemic

Volunteer involvement, fostered through face-to-face training sessions, is central to this public awareness raising effort. To begin the process, a training course was held for 50 ERCS volunteers for the Greater Cairo area; a second workshop on signs and symptoms awareness, preparedness activities, and protection drew 105 volunteers and youth members. A training of trainers session was then conducted; among those attending were Branch Directors and volunteers from a scout organisation interested in disseminating the information at the governorate level. In total, as of early 2007, 174 training courses have been carried out, with a total of 8,249 volunteers from ERCS and other organisations participating. ERCS is also conducting awareness sessions for students and teachers in primary and preparatory schools in collaboration with educational departments in various governorates; to date, 521 such sessions have been provided.

Printed materials are also being used to share basic AI prevention information. For example, an awareness brochure has been developed and 120,000 flyers were printed for distribution to communities and schools. This type of material also helped shape the initiative's development; in early 2006, the IFRC Regional Office for North Africa sent information material to the ERCS in Arabic and in English, including the fact sheetAvian Influenza: Facts and Recommendations for National Societies. Furthermore, at a February 2006 briefing workshop in Cairo, awareness material, such as leaflets and brochures, was shared with ERCS as part of an exchange of experiences and plans with other National Societies.

ERCS has started the procurement of protective material (masks, gloves, plastic boats) from the local market to equip 200 volunteers. ERCS is also looking at the possibility of developing micro-projects to support economically poor families and vulnerable communities financially affected by the impact of AI and loss of poultry.

Health

On February 17 2006, some foci of AI in birds were reported in three governorates of Egypt. Eight cases were confirmed by Egyptian officials in the Governorates of Cairo (4), Giza(2) and Minya (2). As of February 22, further cases were reported in five additional governorates (Dakahleya, Kalyubeya, Beni Suef, Qina and Beheira). (No cases of human infection have been reported, as of this writing.) At that time, Egypt was the second country in Middle East North Africa Region (after Iraq) to be affected by AI.