BURMA AI OUTBREAK RESPONSE STAYS STRONG

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 000221 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 AI OUTBREAK RESPONSE STAYS STRONG REF: RANGOON 00212 RANGOON 00000221 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (U) Summary: The GOB continued to respond effectively to the February 26-27 outbreak of AI found in poultry at an isolated farm in a Rangoon township. Measures include quarantine of the farm, a ban on the sale of eggs and poultry products in five townships, and close surveillance of humans and livestock in the area. FAO and WHO representatives praised the GOB's quick actions, and said officials properly followed contingency plans, and correctly utilized training and equipment provided by international donors. The GOB made public information announcements on local television and in the government newspaper on March 1 and 2, getting widespread coverage. No source of the virus has been identified yet. We have not been able to confirm rumors of another outbreak in Rangoon. End summary. ¶2. (U) WHO and FAO representatives in Rangoon told us that the GOB has responded efficiently and effectively to the outbreak of AI in poultry at one isolated farm in Rangoon. Officials continue to share information with UN agencies in Rangoon and coordinate closely with FAO Bangkok. As the UN recommended, the government placed official announcements about the AI outbreak and reminded the public of disease precautions on television on March 1, and in government newspapers on March 2. The LBVD Director General and a Central Epidemiology Unit epidemiologist traveled to Rangoon from the administrative capital of Nay Pyi Taw on March 1 to supervise further investigation. Foreign Assistance -------------- ¶3. (U) Responders to the outbreak included the Rangoon Rapid Response Team (RRT),which had received USAID-supported training from WHO. The RRTs include both animal and human health workers. Responders used Personal Protective Equipment kits (PPE),supplied to FAO and WHO by USAID, in handling this outbreak. At the request of the LBVD Director General, USAID Bangkok plans to send personnel to support the GOB investigation during the week of March 5. ¶4. (U) On March 1, FAO expert Dr. Larry Allen returned to Rangoon from Mandalay to help with the investigation and analysis. Dr. Wantanee and others from FAO Bangkok also plan to travel to Rangoon within the next few days. WHO Rangoon also has an epidemiologist on standby in Bangkok. UNICEF has provided government officials with additional informational posters and pamphlets for distribution in the affected areas. Government officials have not requested any additional outside assistance. ¶5. (U) According to WHO and local sources, Ministry of Health (MoH) officials continue to monitor the health of the family that lives on the affected farm. One female child, who lives within a one-kilometer radius of the farm, has exhibited flu-like symptoms and is being monitored at a nearby clinic by the MoH. MoH officials will also monitor the health of some family members who reportedly departed the farm before the poultry die-off. ¶6. (U) Officials continue to investigate the source of the virus. FAO contacts are advising the GOB to investigate backward (where did the farmers purchase the day-old chicks?) and forward (were any poultry sent from the farm to other sites?). The FAO rep told us he urged officials to follow the investigation format found in the contingency plans for their continuing efforts. Both FAO and WHO contacts praised the GOB response to date - culling, quarantine, disinfection, RANGOON 00000221 002.2 OF 002 surveillance, and investigation - and said it followed the recommended plans faithfully. ¶7. (SBU) LBVD officials could not confirm or deny rumors of a new outbreak in Rangoon, but acknowledged they were checking into the situation. VILLAROSA