AVIAN INFLUENZA: MANIPUR SITREP JULY 31, 2007

UNCLAS KOLKATA 000227 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR AIAG - HSUMMERS, JLANGE DEPT PLS PASS TO USTR AND HHS - WSTEIGER, DBELL, CHICKEY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KFLU TBIO SENV EAGR IN BM BG PGOV SUBJECT: AVIAN INFLUENZA: MANIPUR SITREP JULY 31, 2007 REF: KOLKATA 226 AND PREVIOUS ¶1. (U) SUMMARY: As of July 31, culling operations continued in Manipur at over 34 locations in and around Imphal. Culling is scheduled to be completed by July 31 and an assessment taken on August 1. Although there is no news of the infection spreading, there are unconfirmed media reports of another episode of poultry deaths at a farm at Khurai. Even as the community in Manipur actively supports the state machinery in culling operations, the neighboring state of Nagaland continues to prepare itself for a possible outbreak. END SUMMARY ¶2. (SBU) As of July 31, culling operations continued in over 34 locations in and around Imphal. Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) culled more than 11,000 birds on July 30. According to Manipur Veterinary Department sources, the total number of birds culled since July 26 is now 137,944 which included chickens, ducks and other domesticated birds. In addition, 20,249 eggs and 11,615 kilograms of poultry feed have been destroyed. Culling is scheduled to be completed by July 31 and state officials will re-assess the situation with GOI agencies on August 1 to decide on next steps. ¶3. (U) The media, quoting Manipur Veterinary Department sources, reported an episode of unusual poultry deaths at a farm at Khurai, which is adjacent to Chingmeirong. The deaths of the birds reportedly took place a few days back but went unreported at the time. Apparently, the farm at Khurai was located within the culling zone and some of the sick birds had in fact been culled unknowingly. After the farm owners reported the matter on July 30, veterinary teams collected fecal samples of the dead birds and sent them for testing. Post contacts, however, could not confirm the incident. ¶4. (U) Contacts in Manipur told Post that the state government's drive to contain the spread of avian influenza has received widespread public support. Local NGOs and community organizations are cooperating in the culling drive by providing support services. However, people's initial tendency upon initiation of culling was to smuggle poultry out of the culling zone. Nearly 1,000 birds have been seized in the past three days by members of the public and police at various places after they were smuggled out of the infected zone. These birds were later culled. ¶5. (U) In neighboring Nagaland, state officials have formed 99 RRTs - with 15 people in each RRT -- and brought in hardware and personal protective equipment. A central government team visited Nagaland early last week to review preparedness measures. Fogging is being carried out on vehicles entering Nagaland from Manipur and Burma. The Nagaland Veterinary Department routinely collects samples according to GOI surveillance procedures, and has collected 700 poultry blood samples since January 2007. These samples have tested negative so far. JARDINE