BURMA HPAI OUTBREAK CONFIRMED, ACTION TAKEN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 000212 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS, G/AIAG; PACOM FOR FPA; USDA FOR FAS/PECAD, FAS/CNMP, FAS/AAD, APHIS; BANGKOK FOR USAID:JMACARTHUR, APHIS:NCARDENAS, REO:JWALLER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR EAID AMED PGOV PREL CASC TBIO KFLU BM SUBJECT: BURMA HPAI OUTBREAK CONFIRMED, ACTION TAKEN RANGOON 00000212 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (U) Summary: On February 28, Burma's Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department (LBVD) reported to OIE an outbreak of H5N1 in chickens on a farm in the Rangoon township of Mayangone. Rangoon officials immediately culled all poultry at the farm by cremation, disinfected the farm, and began surveillance on the animals and humans within a one-kilometer radius. As of 4:00 pm on March 1, no evidence appeared to indicate the spread of AI to humans or to neighboring areas. End summary. Virus Detected, Immediate Culling -------------- ¶2. (U) According to LBVD and FAO officials, owners of an isolated family farm in Mayangone, a Rangoon township northwest of the city center, reported that eight chickens (layers) died on/about February 25, twenty-five died o/a February 26, and thirty-five died o/a February 27. The farmers notified LBVD officials, who used Rapid Test Kits to determine the presence of H5N1 on February 27. On February 28, PCR testing in the National Lab confirmed the diagnosis. The LBVD Director General, Maung Maung Nyunt, immediately notified OIE of the findings. ¶3. (U) According to LBVD officials, the Yangon City Development Council (YCDC) responded to their request for assistance on Feb. 28, and sent personnel to gather the poultry and cremate them at the Rangoon crematorium. Officials destroyed all poultry on the farm: 290 remaining live layers, 500 pullets, 500 day-old chicks (DOCs),and 200 ducks. FAO reported that responders used Personal Protective Equipment. ¶4. (U) LBVD used disinfectant on the farm on February 28 and March 1. The farm, while within Rangoon limits, is located in a relatively isolated residential area with many vacant lots. No other farms are nearby. LBVD will maintain surveillance on all animals within one-kilometer radius. One family runs the farm, and Ministry of Health officials will monitor all family members, as well as residents living within a one-kilometer radius, for signs of infection. Late on March 1, officials prohibited all sales of poultry and eggs in five townships: North Okkalapa, South Okkalapa, Yankin, Mayangone and Insein. Possible Source -------------- ¶5. (SBU) The GOB continues to investigate the source of the virus. Information has circulated about two possibilities. Local and FAO contacts told us unconfirmed rumors that a number of crows died in the area around the farm a few days before the chickens died. One vet said he warned residents to take biosecurity precautions when he heard about the crows, but did not report the possibility of AI. FAO contacts tell us they suspect the crows were infected not with AI, but with low pathogenic influenza. Another possible source is the day-old chicks (DOCs),which the farmers bought from another breeder. Authorities have begun efforts to trace the source of the DOCs and to determine if other fQms bought from that source. ¶6. (U) Comment: Officials successfully contained Burma's previous HPAI outbreak in March-April 2006 through extensive culling. So far, it appears that GOB officials have responded to the current AI outbreak promptly, by the book, and have shared the information they had. They maintain communication with UN agencies. LBVD told us they plan to issue a press release on March 2 to keep the public informed. Post will continue to monitor the situation closely. End RANGOON 00000212 002.2 OF 002 comment. VILLAROSA