SUSPECTED AI OUTBREAK AMONG BIRDS IN BURMA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 000345

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR EAP/MLS; PACOM FOR FPA; APHIS, BANGKOK FOR USAID
(DR. JOHN MACARTHUR)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR EAID AMED PGOV PREL SOCI TBIO CASC KFLU BM
SUBJECT: SUSPECTED AI OUTBREAK AMONG BIRDS IN BURMA

REF: A. TIDWELL - OPS CENTER 03/13/06 TELCON


B. RANGOON 259


1. (U) SUMMARY: On March 12, GOB officials informed FAO and
WHO officials of a suspected outbreak on March 8 of Highly
Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) at a commercial poultry
farm in Mandalay Division. Specimens collected by a
joint-ministerial investigation team from Rangoon tested
positive for the H5 virus at a Rangoon laboratory on March

12. The Ministry of Livestock Breeding and Fisheries filed a
report with Paris-based OIE (the World Organization for
Animal Health) and on March 13 forwarded additional specimens
to reference laboratories in Bangkok and Australia for
verification. Government officials held separate briefings
for WHO and FAO on March 14 to share their latest
information. Embassy Rangoon EAC met to discuss the latest
developments and review preparations. END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) FAO and WHO contacts in Rangoon confirmed on March
13 that an outbreak of suspected HPAI occurred at a
commercial poultry farm in Mandalay Division on March 8.
According to a report by MLF officials, 112 birds of 780 on a
commercial poultry farm in Aung Myae Thar Zan Township died.
Authorities destroyed the remaining 668 birds. The Central
Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Rangoon made the
preliminary H5 diagnosis on March 12. The GOB immediately
reported the outbreak to OIE and sent specimens to reference
laboratories in Thailand and Australia for verification on
March 13.


3. (SBU) Following media reports on Sunday night, March 12 of
a possible HPAI outbreak in Mandalay (ref A),poloff tried to
contact POCs in the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries (MLF)
and the Ministry of Health (MOH). Key contacts had already
left for Mandalay Division to research the case.


4. (SBU) MOH and MLF officials briefed local WHO and FAO
representatives on March 14. Dr. Tin Win Maung, Director
General of the Department of Health, told WHO that there were
no human AI cases, but the MOH would increase surveillance
efforts among human populations living near the outbreak
area. A reliable embassy contact at the Mandalay General
Hospital claims the hospital has admitted three persons for
observation. All three lived near the outbreak area and
displayed flu-like symptoms. A joint MLF-MOH investigation
team of 10 persons continues to follow up on outbreak
developments in Mandalay (ref B).


5. (SBU) According to WHO sources, FAO Bangkok received the
specimens from Burma at noon on March 14. The delay in
transporting the specimens was due to GOB export
requirements. FAO told WHO that test results should be
available on March 15.


6. (SBU) Embassy EAC met on March 14 to review the situation
and mission precautions. The EAC agreed to hold a briefing
for FSNs and a town hall meeting for the U.S. community on
March 15; to continue to meet WHO and FAO officials for daily
updates; and to consult regularly with CDC, USAID, and RMO in
Bangkok for additional guidance.


7. (SBU) COMMENT: We expected HPAI to surface in Burma, since
it has also appeared among birds in neighboring countries.
We find encouraging the Burmese officials' openness in
reporting the outbreak to international organizations and
working with them to address the issue. The Ministry of
Livestock and Fisheries, the Ministry of Health, WHO, and FAO
in Burma all lack skilled epidemiologists and equipment
required to test viruses quickly and to protect personnel
exposed to HPAI-infected animals. In this particular area,
the GOB is proving very receptive to U.S. technical advice.
If we are able to assist with some of these urgent needs, we
may also be able to play a role in preventing its further
spread. END COMMENT.
VILLAROSA