THAILAND AVIAN INFLUENZA: SITUATION REPORT 1

UNCLAS BANGKOK 005808 SIPDIS DEPT FOR G DEPT FOR EAP USDA FOR FAS/DLP/HWETZEL AND FAS/ICD/LAIDIG USDA/FAS/FAA/DYOUNG AND USDA/APHIS DEPT ALSO PASS TO USAID/ANE/CLEMENTS AND GH/CARROLL PARIS FOR FAS/AG MINISTER COUNSELOR/OIE ROME FOR FAO E.O. 12958:NA TAGS: TBIO AMED CASC EAGR AMGT PGOV SOCI TH SUBJECT: THAILAND AVIAN INFLUENZA: SITUATION REPORT 1 Animal Health ¶1. On August 31, 2005, the Royal Thai Government (RTG) announced that it had detected another outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in poultry in central Thailand (Ayutthaya and Kamphaeng Phet). This new detection was made in so-called native chickens (free ranging, backyard poultry). The RTG reportedly responded by culling infected and suspected poultry. ¶2. Three other HPAI outbreaks were detected in August 2005 in similar areas of Thailand and in similar types of poultry raised in low-biosecurity situations. The other August detections were in Ayutthaya, Kamphaeng Phet and Suphan Buri. Detection dates were August 10, 18, and 19, 2005, involving 232 animals. There have been no recent reports of HPAI infection in commercial poultry operations and, as such, culling has been limited to small household flocks with relatively few animals. ¶3. RTG conducts what is known as "x-ray" surveillance of the nations poultry flock, implying that inspection goes down to the smallest village and rural community level. These inspections are resource heavy and are overseen by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives' Department of Livestock Development (MOAC, DLD). The recent August 2005 detections resulted from this national x-ray campaign. Complete depopulation of positive HPAI and suspected flocks is called for under the Thai x-ray program. ¶4. Compensation for destroyed animals is determined on a case-by-case basis with price discovery calculated by a committee of village leaders and MOAC officials. Variable may include type of animal, age of animal, etc. MOAC/DLD reportedly has budget to compensate owners of destroyed birds. DLD is also reportedly ramping up national laboratory capacity for testing samples from birds suspected of carrying HPAI. There are eight national laboratories reported to have the capacity to carry out the necessary tests to detect HPAI in animals. ¶5. Owners of gaming birds must register fighting cocks. Cock fighting arenas reportedly only allow birds that are certified free from avian influenza to enter these facilities. ¶6. Vaccination of poultry against HPAI is not permitted in Thailand, although anecdotal reports indicate that some poultry owners panicked and vaccinated their birds with illegally imported vaccines. Human Health ¶7. Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) continues its surveillance campaigns. MOPH recently investigated a cluster of influenza-like illness that resulted in one death. MOPH found influenza B in two of the cases and are sending (with US/CDC assistance) autopsy specimens and possibly other specimens to US/CDC for additional testing. ¶8. There have been a total of 17 confirmed human HPAI cases in Thailand with 12 HPAI human deaths. The most recent human infection with HPAI was in October 2004. ¶9. Discussions are ongoing between WHO-Thailand and MOPH on the idea of setting up a regional stockpile of PPE and Tamiflu. Arvizu