The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries has completed the Trinidad component of a national simulation exercise designed to strengthen the country’s ability to respond to outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu. According to the ministry, the exercise formed part of a wider national preparedness initiative aimed at improving coordination and emergency response to transboundary animal diseases. The programme included field response drills, laboratory simulation exercises, risk and outbreak communications training, and a national tabletop exercise in which participants responded to evolving disease outbreak scenarios, coordinated resources and assessed national response capabilities. Ratiram also stressed that diseases such as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza require a coordinated national response involving animal health, public health, environmental management, emergency services and strategic communications. The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries said the exercise reflects FAO’s continued technical support in strengthening veterinary services and emergency preparedness while promoting animal health systems that meet international standards.