Following the renovation of veterinary laboratories in Guinea and the training of their agents by USAID’s GHSA program, a serological surveillance (a resource to evaluate vaccine programs for diseases) was carried out in the zones at risk. During this surveillance, a low pathogenic strain of avian influenza (H7) was identified in certain poultry farms in Dubréka, Forécariah,​ ​Coyah, and​ ​Conakry. This new development adding to the low level of bioprompted USAID to provide biosafety equipment and disinfectants to the Ministry of Livestock and Animal Production with the objective of preventing the introduction and dissemination of infectious agents in the poultry production chain. This will boost the poultry sector, which is particularly important for young entrepreneurship and women empowerment.

The equipment and disinfectants include washable plastic crates for transporting live poultry, atomizers, and disinfectants to carry out disinfection operations on markets and poultry farms. USAID has also donated refrigerators to regional livestock departments that do not have a functional cold chain, and two solar refrigerators to the regional veterinary laboratories of Labé and Kankan.

This donation and training are part of USAID’s Global Health Security Agenda program which focuses on advancing a world safe and secure from infectious diseases threats.