GOB DECLARES MON STATE FREE OF AI

UNCLAS RANGOON 000809 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT 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: GOB DECLARES MON STATE FREE OF AI REF: RANGOON 689 ¶1. (SBU) Summary. The Burmese Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department (LBVD) on August 23 declared Thanbyuzayat Township in Mon State free of Avian Influenza after the July 26 outbreak. LBVD officials conducted post-outbreak surveillance in the area, and collected samples from 28 chicken farms and 7 duck farms. All samples and swabs tested negative for H5N1. As a result, LBVD lifted the restriction on the movement of poultry and poultry products. The source of the July 26 outbreak is still unknown. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) Burmese Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department (LBVD) officials notified us, the FAO, and the WHO on August 23 that it considers Thanbyuzayat Township in Mon State, home to the July 26 outbreak (Reftel),to be AI free. LBVD local officials conducted post-outbreak surveillance in Thanbyuzayat Township and the surrounding areas in the month following the outbreak. Officials collected 753 serum samples and 324 cloacal swabs from 28 chicken farms and 7 duck farms in the area. All samples, which were checked at the Central Veterinary Laboratory in Rangoon using both PCR and HA HI (Hemagglutination and Hemagglutination Inhibition) tests, tested negative for H5N1. ¶3. (SBU) Per GOB policy, LBVD can declare an area free of avian influenza if the area meets several conditions - 21 days without a new AI outbreak in the area, completion of satisfactory cleaning and disinfection of the infected farms, surveillance of farms in the surrounding area, and negative results for all samples taken from surrounding farms. Because Thanbyuzayat Township met the above conditions, LBVD on August 23 declared the area AI free and lifted the restriction on the movement of poultry and poultry products that was implemented immediately after the outbreak. The GOB still has not uncovered the source of the July 26 outbreak. ¶4. (SBU) Comment: Although it appears LBVD has done all that it can to ensure that the Thanbyuzayat area is clear of AI, LBVD officials cannot locate the source of the outbreak because they lack the necessary epidemiology skills. By participating in future regional AI workshops, Burmese veterinarians should develop the skills they need to better detect and prevent new AI outbreaks. End Comment. VILLAROSA