APEC Pandemic Response Passes the Test

A hypothetical outbreak of a new strain of influenza has put the 21 economies of APEC to the test in a successful pandemic response exercise completed in Canberra this week.

For the purposes of the 'APEC Pandemic Response Exercise 2006', the new 'Malacca Straits Flu' was suspected in some fishermen, whose boat subsequently capsized and who were rescued by a passing passenger cruise ship. This led to a hypothetical 'outbreak' of pandemic proportions within the APEC region

The scenario successfully achieved the goal of testing communication responses during the exercise, which lasted 26 hours across eight time zones-starting in Wellington, New Zealand on Wednesday and concluding yesterday with final calls to Washington, DC.

More than 500 messages were dispatched between the participating economies, involving language translations in Chinese, Vietnamese and Spanish.

Senior officials from the relevant agencies made critical decisions based on 'real' developments, communicating through the National Emergency Management Coordination Centre of Emergency Management Australia (EMA) in Canberra.

The exercise attracted credible responses from participating economies, including Australia, which were able to quickly activate and communicate their national preparedness plans. Some of the more creative responses included one economy offering to immediately build a factory to supply the region with more protective masks and another economy whose suggested advice to its citizens included to "stop kissing and to eat more vegetables."

A 'Lessons Learned' workshop hosted by Singapore will be the next phase with a final report and recommendations for future arrangements submitted to APEC Ministers and leaders in November 2006.

'APEC Pandemic Response Exercise 2006' was part of the Australian Government's $100 million regional assistance package over four years to combat the threat of pandemics and other emerging infectious diseases within the region.

Inquiries: Mr Downer's office 02 62777 500 - Mr Ruddock's office 02 6277 7300