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

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comment.
VILLAROSA