BURMA: NO COORDINATION WITH REGIONAL GOVERNMENTS ON AI

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 000112

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EAP/MLS, G/AIAG, OES:ACOVINGTON
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 SENV PGOV PREL BIO KFLU BM
SUBJECT: BURMA: NO COORDINATION WITH REGIONAL GOVERNMENTS ON AI

REF: A) Vientiane 101 B) Bangkok 267

RANGOON 00000112 001.4 OF 002



1. (SBU) Summary. The Burmese Livestock Breeding and Veterinary
Department (LBVD) has confirmed that despite outbreaks in
neighboring countries, there have been no new outbreaks of avian
influenza in 2008. LBVD officials continue to monitor border areas
close to Thailand, Bangladesh, and Laos. The Burmese Government
does not coordinate directly with neighboring governments on AI
issues. Instead, LBVD offices increase surveillance in vulnerable
areas and work with customs officials to ensure that poultry
products from infected countries do not enter Burma. End Summary.


No New AI Cases
--------------


2. (SBU) U Maung Maung Nyunt, Director General of the Burmese
Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department (LBVD),confirmed that
there have been no new outbreaks of AI in 2008 within Burma.
Burma's last case of AI occurred in December in Eastern Shan State,
where a seven-year old girl contracted Burma's first case of human
AI. LBVD officials continue to improve coordination with Ministry
of Health officials to monitor those living in AI-infected areas, he
informed us. By conducting swab and sero tests in more than 300
townships, LBVD officials closely monitor the health of poultry, U
Maung Maung Nyunt emphasized. To date, LBVD has confirmed no new AI
outbreaks in Burma in 2008.

No Government Coordination
--------------


4. (SBU) Despite the close proximity of recent AI outbreaks in
Thailand, Bangladesh, and Laos (reftels),the Burmese Government
does not coordinate with neighboring countries on AI outbreaks.
Instead, it only takes measures inside of Burma. LBVD officials are
willing to share information, but other countries are not, U Maung
Maung Nyunt claimed. Once the LBVD head office in Nay Pyi Taw
learns of an outbreak in a neighboring country, it communicates with
local LBVD offices in the border areas, putting them on high alert.
These local offices then ramp up their monitoring and surveillance
of backyard and commercial poultry farms. Local LBVD officials also
routinely conduct sample and swab tests of domestic, commercial, and
wild fowl in the border areas to determine if they carry H5N1.


5. (SBU) In principle, the Burmese Government bans all imports of
poultry and poultry products from AI-infected countries. Products
from China, Thailand, Laos, Bangladesh, and India are subject to
this ban. Further reinforcing the ban, the GOB does not issue
import licenses to border traders for poultry products. In reality,
however, live chickens and ducks are often traded freely across
Burma's borders, most frequently with China and Thailand. LBVD
officials continue to work with Customs officials to enforce GOB
poultry import regulations and educate them on the dangers of AI.

Comment
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6. (SBU) All of Burma's neighbors continue to report new AI
outbreaks. LBVD remains on high alert, monitoring border areas for
any new cases. However, internal action on AI is not enough;
countries should share information about AI outbreaks to prevent the
spread of the disease. We will continue to encourage LBVD to work
with its counterparts in neighboring countries and share
information, such as gene sequencing of both animal and human
infections. Perhaps with improved coordination, regional AI
officials can pinpoint and target the source of the infection.

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VILLAROSA