Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ISLAMABAD742
2008-02-20 13:15:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Islamabad
Cable title:
PAKISTAN: TWO AVIAN INFLUENZA OUTBREAKS IN POULTRY IN
how-toVZCZCXRO2533 RR RUEHLH RUEHPW DE RUEHIL #0742 0511315 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 201315Z FEB 08 FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5250 INFO RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHDC RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHINGTON DC RUEHRC/USDA FAS WASHDC 4157 RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC RUMICEA/USCENTCOM INTEL CEN MACDILL AFB FL RHMFISS/CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI 9011 RUEHLH/AMCONSUL LAHORE 4862 RUEHPW/AMCONSUL PESHAWAR 3565 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 2845
UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000742
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KFLU TBIO EAGR AMGT CASC PK
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN: TWO AVIAN INFLUENZA OUTBREAKS IN POULTRY IN
NORTHERN PAKISTAN
Ref: Islamabad 506
UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 000742
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KFLU TBIO EAGR AMGT CASC PK
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN: TWO AVIAN INFLUENZA OUTBREAKS IN POULTRY IN
NORTHERN PAKISTAN
Ref: Islamabad 506
1. (SBU) Summary: Pakistani authorities confirmed on February 15 and
18 an outbreak of avian influenza (AI) in poultry on two commercial
breeding farms in Mansehra and Abbottabad, located 100 kilometers to
the north of Islamabad. To date this season, 101,000 chickens have
died from the disease or been culled in eight separate poultry
outbreaks. There are currently no suspected cases of AI in humans.
End Summary.
2. (SBU) Pakistan's National Reference Laboratory for Avian
Influenza (NRLAI) confirmed on February 15 and 18 the presence of
highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza (AI) at two commercial
poultry farms in Mansehra and Abbottabad, located 100 kilometers to
the north of Islamabad. A combined total of 2,000 birds died from
the infection, confined to five-week old boiler birds in Mansehra
and seven-week old breeder chickens in Abbottabad. Standard
quarantine measures have been taken and the remaining 8,000 birds
have been culled.
3. (SBU) The Mansehra and Abbottabad outbreaks are the seventh and
eight confirmed H5N1 cases in Pakistan during the 2007-2008
migratory bird season. To date, 101,000 chickens have died from the
disease or been culled in the outbreaks. All but the most recent
two poultry outbreaks (Reftel) have occurred in northern Pakistan.
The first case occurred on October 26 on a commercial farm in
Buttal, 150 kilometers to the north of Islamabad. 4,000 of the
diseased seven-week old breeder flock died of H5N1 and 38,000 birds
were culled. Animal health authorities confirmed two additional
infections on commercial farms in Abbottabad, to the north of
Islamabad, on November 1 and 20. A total of 21,000 birds were culled
at both infection sites. H5N1 was also confirmed on December 3 at a
commercial poultry farm in Murree, 50 kilometers to the north of
Islamabad. 3,000 of the farm's 18,000 five-week old breeder flock
died from the disease; the remaining 15,000 animals were culled.
4. (SBU) The Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (MINFAL) is
urging all poultry farms to increase disease surveillance and
immediately report any incidences of diseased or dead birds. Local
animal health workers report that poultry vaccines are being
administered to surrounding farms. Mansehra district livestock
officer Ali Akber Khan reported to local media that there are
currently no suspected human cases associated with the outbreaks.
5. (SBU) Pakistan Poultry Association President Abdul Basit referred
to the industry as having been "badly hit," suffering "massive
losses" in February alone. Basit reported that Pakistan's poultry
industry, employing 1.5 million workers in over 28,000 commercial
farms, accounts for 27 percent of the country's meat consumption.
The industry, one of Pakistan's largest, is worth around Rs 200
billion (USD 3.2 billion).
6. (SBU) Comment: Outbreaks are occurring as expected this migratory
bird season, with the majority focused in the country's north.
Pakistan's animal and human health workers clearly understand the
threat that pandemic influenza poses to the nation's healthcare
infrastructure. However, little has been done to combat the virus
on a national scale. Rural Pakistan, in particular, continues to be
at high risk due to a dearth of resources and training. End Comment.
PATTERSON
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KFLU TBIO EAGR AMGT CASC PK
SUBJECT: PAKISTAN: TWO AVIAN INFLUENZA OUTBREAKS IN POULTRY IN
NORTHERN PAKISTAN
Ref: Islamabad 506
1. (SBU) Summary: Pakistani authorities confirmed on February 15 and
18 an outbreak of avian influenza (AI) in poultry on two commercial
breeding farms in Mansehra and Abbottabad, located 100 kilometers to
the north of Islamabad. To date this season, 101,000 chickens have
died from the disease or been culled in eight separate poultry
outbreaks. There are currently no suspected cases of AI in humans.
End Summary.
2. (SBU) Pakistan's National Reference Laboratory for Avian
Influenza (NRLAI) confirmed on February 15 and 18 the presence of
highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza (AI) at two commercial
poultry farms in Mansehra and Abbottabad, located 100 kilometers to
the north of Islamabad. A combined total of 2,000 birds died from
the infection, confined to five-week old boiler birds in Mansehra
and seven-week old breeder chickens in Abbottabad. Standard
quarantine measures have been taken and the remaining 8,000 birds
have been culled.
3. (SBU) The Mansehra and Abbottabad outbreaks are the seventh and
eight confirmed H5N1 cases in Pakistan during the 2007-2008
migratory bird season. To date, 101,000 chickens have died from the
disease or been culled in the outbreaks. All but the most recent
two poultry outbreaks (Reftel) have occurred in northern Pakistan.
The first case occurred on October 26 on a commercial farm in
Buttal, 150 kilometers to the north of Islamabad. 4,000 of the
diseased seven-week old breeder flock died of H5N1 and 38,000 birds
were culled. Animal health authorities confirmed two additional
infections on commercial farms in Abbottabad, to the north of
Islamabad, on November 1 and 20. A total of 21,000 birds were culled
at both infection sites. H5N1 was also confirmed on December 3 at a
commercial poultry farm in Murree, 50 kilometers to the north of
Islamabad. 3,000 of the farm's 18,000 five-week old breeder flock
died from the disease; the remaining 15,000 animals were culled.
4. (SBU) The Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (MINFAL) is
urging all poultry farms to increase disease surveillance and
immediately report any incidences of diseased or dead birds. Local
animal health workers report that poultry vaccines are being
administered to surrounding farms. Mansehra district livestock
officer Ali Akber Khan reported to local media that there are
currently no suspected human cases associated with the outbreaks.
5. (SBU) Pakistan Poultry Association President Abdul Basit referred
to the industry as having been "badly hit," suffering "massive
losses" in February alone. Basit reported that Pakistan's poultry
industry, employing 1.5 million workers in over 28,000 commercial
farms, accounts for 27 percent of the country's meat consumption.
The industry, one of Pakistan's largest, is worth around Rs 200
billion (USD 3.2 billion).
6. (SBU) Comment: Outbreaks are occurring as expected this migratory
bird season, with the majority focused in the country's north.
Pakistan's animal and human health workers clearly understand the
threat that pandemic influenza poses to the nation's healthcare
infrastructure. However, little has been done to combat the virus
on a national scale. Rural Pakistan, in particular, continues to be
at high risk due to a dearth of resources and training. End Comment.
PATTERSON