Children's Story is Latest Weapon in War Against Avian Flu; Booklet
Part of AED's Efforts Against the Disease in Asia, Africa and U.S.
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 23, 2006--There's a new weapon in
the battle against avian flu: a children's story.


Zandi's Song, a story about a girl who helps teach her village about
avian flu, is part of the Academy for Educational Development's
efforts to prevent the spread of the disease in Africa and other parts
of the world.

AED, a nonprofit organization working to solve critical problems
throughout the world, created the Zandi's Song booklet and
accompanying materials to teach African schoolchildren about avian flu
and involve them in educating their communities about the disease. The
booklet also comes with posters, a fact sheet, bookmarks, and a
12-page teacher's guide that explains step by step how to help
children participate in preventing and containing avian flu in their
communities.

In many countries where avian flu is threatening flocks, poultry is a
primary source of both nutrition and income for many families.
"Chickens are considered mobile savings banks," says Dr. Susan
Zimicki, director of AED's infectious disease initiative. "When birds
are destroyed to stop the spread of avian influenza, families can lose
their livelihoods and primary food source."

"The key to preventing the spread of the disease is educating people
who are most at-risk for contracting it," Zimicki says.

AED is testing the effectiveness of Zandi's Song in Kenya, but because
of the recent outbreak of avian flu in Nigeria, advance copies of the
booklet and accompanying materials have been released and are
available at www.aed.org/avianflu. They can be duplicated with the
acceptance of a license agreement. Once field-testing is completed,
final versions will be posted. The materials can be easily adapted so
that they are suitable for use in other countries.

Reaching Poultry Farmers in Southeast Asia

In Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Indonesia, AED is implementing an avian
flu communications campaign on behalf of the United States Agency for
International Development. AED's initial research among backyard
poultry farmers showed that, while many people knew about avian flu,
fewer knew specific ways to prevent or contain the disease.

Through partners such as the Lao Journalist's Association and
Veterinarians Without Borders, AED is now working in those countries
to help poultry farmers and vendors in remote and rural areas handle
and manage their birds in ways that reduce the risk of the birds
contracting and spreading avian flu. AED is using radio and television
to reach small farmers and their families with persuasive messages. In
addition, to help address the impact that destroying their birds has
on them, AED is examining the critical issues of economic security and
food supply.

Protecting Workers in the United States

AED is also focusing its efforts on containing the disease in the
United States. AED developed materials on preventing the spread of
avian and other types of flu for the Service Employees International
Union. Most of the union's 2 million members work in health care
settings. SEIU has used the web-friendly fact sheets and FAQs at
health and safety training for union members in New York City.

Founded in 1961, the Academy for Educational Development (www.aed.org)
is a nonprofit organization committed to building the capacity of
individuals, communities, and institutions to become more
self-sufficient. AED works in all the major areas of human
development, with a focus on improving education, health, and economic
opportunities for the least advantaged in the United States and
developing countries.