The money, which is channelled through the US Agency for International Development (USAIDS), will be used for surveillance and control activities against avian influenza in both countries.

These activities focus on delivering key prevention messages and implementing strategies to minimise high risk behaviours, working with human and animal health workers to enhance their ability to recognise and report suspected cases, and developing new approaches for enhancing bio-security on poultry farms.

To date USAID has provided more than US$41 million for avian influenza activities in Cambodia , China, Indonesia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam.