AVIAN INFLUENZA OUTBREAK Q BANGLADESH

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 001061 AIDAC SIPDIS USDA FOR DEPUTY UNDER SECRETARY/ETERPSTRA USDA FOR OFSO/JDEYER USDA FOR FAS/OA/MYOST/WKMILLER USDA FOR FAS/OCRA/CALEXANDER/JCARVER USDA FOR FAS/OSTA/CHAMILTON USDA FOR APHIS/MFLEMINGS/TBURLESON SEOUL FOR APHIS/GEORGE ANDY BALL DEPARTMENT FOR SA/PB, EB/TPP, AIAG HREED-ROWE NEW DELHI FOR FAS OLIVER FLAKE E.O.12356: N/A TAGS: KFLU EAGR ECON ETRD IN WTO CASC BG SUBJECT: AVIAN INFLUENZA OUTBREAK Q BANGLADESH Summary -------------- ¶1. 1. A new outbreak of Highly-Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in poultry occurred in Bangladesh September 24. HPAI was first officially reported in Bangladesh in March 2007. Since that time, outbreaks of HPAI (H5) in poultry have been reported or confirmed on 288 farms. One human HPAI case was confirmed in March 2008. Historically, most of the HPAI outbreaks in Bangladesh have occurred during the months of January through May. Most Recent Outbreak -------------- ¶2. After several months without a recurrence of avian influenza (AI) in Bangladesh, authorities reported a new outbreak on September 24. A chicken farm with a population of approximately 1,100 birds in Naogoan district, in northwestern Bangladesh, reported unusual poultry mortality to the Government of Bangladesh (GOB). (NOTE: Naogaon borders the Indian state of West Bengal. END NOTE.) GOB veterinarians from the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) investigated the farm and took samples for testing. At that time, the rapid antigen test for Influenza A was negative. The rapid antigen test, as with many other screening tests, can sometimes yield inaccurate results. ¶3. Necropsies (animal autopsies) on chickens from the farm led local experts to conclude initially that Newcastle disease was the cause of death. In Bangladesh, there is no policy or protocol for culling chickens infected with Newcastle, so no further action was taken by the GOB at that time. ¶4. Over the next week, poultry at that farm continued to die. By September 29, approximately 760 more birds were dead, and the farmer requested DLS veterinarians return for further investigation. Samples taken on September 29 tested positive for Influenza A by rapid antigen test. As per GOB guidelines established in April 2008, culling of the farmQs chickens began immediately after the positive Influenza A result. Workers depopulated the farm of its remaining 340 birds, and they cleaned and disinfected the farm. (NOTE: Prior to the April guidelines, the GOB would delay culling and containment measures until confirmation of the rapid antigen test results of the H5 virus was received from BangladeshQs national reference laboratory. END NOTE.) ¶5. The samples taken on September 29 were sent to the Bangladesh National Reference Lab for AI (BLRI) to determine if the Influenza A virus detected was indeed H5. On October 7, authorities confirmed to USAID Bangladesh that H5 caused this outbreak. The N type determination will be made at a World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) reference laboratory as this technology does not exist in Bangladesh. GOB officials noted that the Eid-ul-Fitr holiday delayed confirmation of the H5 virus by their national reference laboratory. Background -------------- ¶6. The GOB first officially reported Highly-Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) among poultry in Bangladesh in March 2007. Since that time, outbreaks of HPAI (H5) in poultry have been reported or confirmed on 288 farms in 47 of BangladeshQs 64 districts. Seventy-five percent of these outbreaks occurred on commercial farms. Officials confirmed one human HPAI case in March 2008; that person, a child, fully recovered. ¶7. In September 2007, about half of the countryQs poultry population existed on approximately 150,000 large and small commercial facilities, with the other half situated on small backyard farms. Currently, more than half of BangladeshQs small farms have ceased poultry production, as a result of both the negative impact of HPAI on consumer confidence DHAKA 00001061 002 OF 002 and the ripple effect in the supply chain as larger commercial holdings affected by AI shut down and were unable to re-enter the industry. As more than five million Bangladeshis are involved directly or indirectly in the poultry industry, HPAI is not only a health concern, but an economic concern as well. Timing of Outbreaks -------------- ¶8. Historically, most of the HPAI outbreaks in Bangladesh have occurred during between January and May. Many different factors contribute to this apparent trend: --the possibility of more virus circulating in the environment at that time, --increased activity and trading in the industry during this period, or --migratory birds may be re-introducing the virus. ¶9. Though the majority of outbreaks in Bangladesh have occurred between January and May; outbreaks also were reported in September, November and December 2007. Currently, it is impossible to determine whether there are fewer outbreaks during different periods, or whether there is simply low or no reporting of outbreaks outside the January to May timeframe. Reduced reporting of outbreaks could be attributed to a lack of awareness of AI in the absence of heavy media reporting on AI, waning interest, competing priorities, or a gap in surveillance because existing systems may not be able to detect isolated outbreaks. USAID, GOB and the United NationsQ Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) currently are discussing ways of investigating the apparent seasonality of AI outbreaks in Bangladesh. Comment -------------- ¶10. Vietnam, Pakistan, and Laos have also reported outbreaks in September 2008, illustrating that the virus continues to circulate in other parts of Asia, as well as in Bangladesh. Some in Bangladesh had hoped that since there had not been a confirmed AI outbreak here for several months, the country might be AI-free. This most recent outbreak indicates that avian influenza continues circulate in Bangladesh. MORIARTY