A group of 50 migrant community leaders and NGO staff in Egypt will
be trained by IOM on how to promote healthy behaviour in response
to the threat of pandemic influenza viruses, such as the current
H1N1 outbreak.

The aim of the training in Cairo between 10-13 June and 24-27
June is to equip community leaders without a medical background
with the knowledge necessary to prepare their communities against
the threat of pandemic influenza and to disseminate information and
educational material developed by IOM.

The training will focus on the concept of health education and
communication, types and epidemiology of influenza, prevention and
control of influenza pandemic and health promotion. Participants
have been selected from a host of organizations representing all
the main migrant communities in Egypt.

Three influenza pandemics have occurred in the last century.
Egypt is among the 69 countries which have reported cases of the
H1N1 virus which has affected over 21,500 people and killed 125.
Egypt has also reported 79 cases of avian influenza among humans,
more than any other country outside Asia.

For further information please contact:

Roberto Pitea

IOM Cairo

Tel: +(2) 012-3125886

E-mail: "mailto:rpitea@iom.int" target="_blank" title=
"">rpitea@iom.int