Local and regional health and agricultural officials are meeting in Barbados to map out a preparedness and prevention plan for the avian pandemic influenza.

The one-week meeting at the Sherbourne Conference Centre aims to help Caribbean states speed up the implementation of their national plans.

It will also provide training in the use of software to assess the potential impact of a HB1 wave in the region.

Barbados has begun to prepare its own strategy, according to Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr. John Licorish.

Food and Agriculture Organisation Representative, Dr. Barbara Graham, says the FAO has approved a major project to help prevent the spread of the HB1 among birds in the Cariforum countries.