US-Malaysian Tabletop Exercise on Pandemic Influenza

TTX facilitators and organizing committee. Left to right: Dr. Zainal Abidin bin Abu Bakar, Dr. Devan Kurup, Dr. Zainuddin Abd Wahab, Col. Kelley M. Barham, Dr. John D. Malone, Major Thomas A Koehler, Mr Jayakumar Arasan, and LTJG Mathew C. Johns

The Disease Control Division of Ministry of Health (MOH) and the United States Pacific Command (USPACOM) conducted a Pandemic Influenza Tabletop Exercise (TTX) in Putrajaya from 11 – 13 March 2009.  The purpose of the TTX was to identify opportunities and develop plausible solutions to strengthen existing pandemic and other infectious disease surveillance and response systems in Malaysia. 

This multi-sector exercise involved 30 participants from various agencies including Ministry of Health, National Security Council, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defense, Immigration Department, Veterinary Services Department, Ministry of Social Welfare, and National News Agency (BERNAMA).  The TTX also involved observers from World Health Organization (WHO) and US Embassy, Kuala Lumpur.

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) experience of 2003 affected about 8,000 people over a six month period in thirty countries on six continents, with a combined cost to the Asia-Pacific region of approximately USD$40 billion.  The SARS epidemic taught us some useful lessons – the importance of surveillance systems, transparent communication, well-thought out plans and close cooperation within and between governments.

The March Pandemic Influenza Tabletop Exercise provided a good forum to examine and test Malaysia’s interagency cooperation and capacity to prevent a serious pandemic of influenza in the country in accordance with the National Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Plan (NIPPP) and Malaysian Influenza Surveillance System (MISS). Malaysia has a good plan with sound strategies for pandemic influenza preparedness and response.  Being at the epicenter of recent emerging infectious diseases and due to Malaysia’s geographical expanse, it is critical that existing surveillance and detection mechanisms in Malaysia are efficient and effective in providing advance warning of pandemic influenza outbreaks.

The exercise coordinated by Infectious Disease Surveillance Section of the MOH and the Office of Defense Cooperation (ODC) of the Embassy was facilitated by a group of subject matter experts from the U.S. and Malaysian Ministry of Health.  This exercise served to enhance the already close cooperation and collaboration between both countries that is so vital to prepare for the threat of pandemic influenza.