Press Releases
U.S. Donates 1,000 Biological Protection Kits for Avian Flu Detection to Croatia
EMBASSY OF THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Public Affairs Section
Zagreb, Croatia
U.S. Donates 1,000 Biological Protection Kits for Avian Flu Detection to Croatia
Zagreb, September 6, 2007 -- The Poultry Center, part of the Croatian Ministry of Agriculture, will receive 1,000 personal biological protection kits under the Humanitarian Assistance Program administered by the U.S. European Command and the U.S. Embassy's Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC).
Dr. Vladimir Savic, Director of the Center, which is Croatia's designated avian influenza lab, plans to use the equipment, which protects first responders, to test for the avian influenza virus in Croatia. Dr. Savic initiated active monitoring of wild birds and began testing poultry supplies upon request in October 2006. He also initiated collaborative testing for the H5N1 virus in 10 southeastern European countries and started a regional information-sharing network.
"The United States is pleased to support Croatia's outstanding efforts in seeking to prevent avian influenza by donating these first response kits," said LTC Greg Scofield Deputy Chief of the Office of Defense Cooperation in Zagreb. "We look forward to continued cooperation with Croatia in this effort."
The kits will be delivered to the Poultry Center Sept. 7 at 1430 by LTC Scofield, Diana Marsic, ODC's bilateral affairs office manager and Marlene M. Nice, Vice Consul of the U.S. Embassy, Zagreb.