IDB---Aug. 31, 2006---The Inter-American Development Bank will host a seminar to create awareness among experts, international and government officials and the media of the importance of prevention and preparedness in case avian influenza reaches the Latin American and Caribbean countries.

The event, “The Mass Media and the Threat of Avian Influenza in Latin America and the Caribbean,” is co-sponsored by the IDB and the Pan American Health Organization with the participation of other multilateral organizations. It will take place August 31st from 2 to 5 pm at the IDB’s Enrique V. Iglesias Conference Center, Room CR201, 1330 New York Ave, N.W., Washington, D.C.

Experts, officials and journalists will also participate by videoconference at the IDB County Offices in Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Guyana and Jamaica. This event will be mainly for English-speaking Caribbean countries. Most Andean and Central American countries, Brazil and Mexico, participated in a previous seminar in Spanish.

During the seminar questions will be received by e-mail at gripeaviar@iadb.org.