PROBABLE OUTBREAK OF AVIAN FLU IN LAOS

UNCLAS VIENTIANE 000696 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR G, EAP/MLA - WEYER DEPT PASS TO USAID FOR DENNIS CARROLL HSS FOR ELVANDER BANGKOK PASS TO USAID - MACARTHUR, FAS, AND REO - WALLER ROME FOR FAO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO ECON KFLU PREL SOCI LA SUBJECT: PROBABLE OUTBREAK OF AVIAN FLU IN LAOS ¶1. Post has received information from FAO regarding a probable outbreak of Avian Influenza in Dong Bang Village, Xaythang District, about 20 kilometers north of Vientiane City, in Vientiane Province. The outbreak was reported to FAO and WHO on July 14, but information was withheld from the wider community pending an intervention/investigation. The outbreak occurred among chickens at a state-owned commercial poultry facility, where 155 birds died and a further 5000 were culled by Ministry of Agriculture Animal Health personnel. Reaction by the relevant GoL officials appears to have been timely. ¶2. The diagnosis was based upon serological (HA/HI) tests, and specimens have been sent to the Thai Ministry of Agriculture's Department of Livestock Development Lab, in Bangkok, for confirming analysis. ¶3. Post's Infectious Disease Coordinator has taken protective clothing to Dong Bang to investigate further and to help set up monitoring of humans who have had contact with the diseased birds. Post will provide an update after his return HASLACH