GOB SEEKS TO STRENGTHEN AVIAN INFLUENZA PROGRAM

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 000094

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 SENV PGOV PREL BIO KFLU BM
SUBJECT: GOB SEEKS TO STRENGTHEN AVIAN INFLUENZA PROGRAM

REF: A) 07 Rangoon 1180 B) 07 Rangoon 738

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1. (SBU) Summary. Responding to repeated outbreaks among poultry
in Burma, the Burmese Government has dramatically strengthened its
avian influenza (AI) response program during the past two years,
culminating in the successful rapid detection and response to
Burma's first human AI case in December. In 2008, both the
Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department (LBVD) and the Ministry
of Health (MOH) plan to improve AI response capacity through
continued training of staff on early detection and rapid response,
public outreach to educate farmers on the dangers of AI, and
coordinating with regional governments to share information about AI
cases. In late February, the Ministry of Health will inaugurate a
new National Influenza Center in Rangoon. Working with the WHO and
FAO, LBVD and the MOH will also address long-term projects,
including updating the National Avian Influenza Response Plan,
establishing a monitoring and evaluation framework to access gaps,
developing biosecurity measures at live bird markets, improving
surveillance and early detection in rural areas, and addressing ways
to develop a comprehensive compensation program. End Summary.

Improving AI Response
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2. (SBU) During the visit of USAID/RDMA Health Official Dr. John
MacArthur, we met with officials from the World Health Organization,
the Food and Agriculture Organization, LBVD, and the Ministry of
Health to discuss Burma's progress in responding to avian influenza
outbreaks. According to Dr. MacArthur, Burma made great strides in
improving AI response since the first outbreak in March 2006. FAO
Country Representative Tang Zhengping acknowledged the improvement,
noting that GOB officials identified areas for improvement with each
AI outbreak and adjusted their detection and response plans
accordingly. The most recent poultry outbreaks in Eastern Shan
State in November-December were an example of excellent coordination
between LBVD and the MOH, resulting in the early detection and
treatment of Burma's first human case (Ref A). There is still room
to develop and improve, LBVD Deputy Director General Dr. Than Tun
recognized. With continued donor assistance, including funding from
USAID and partnerships with the WHO and FAO, GOB agencies will
continue to develop a more comprehensive AI response plan.


3. (SBU) During the past two years, LBVD recognized and reacted to
the need for improved AI response by training surveillance and
response teams situated throughout the country. Currently, LBVD
employs several hundred field veterinarians in 300 townships who
survey 20,000 farms and backyard poultry, as well as wild bird
habitats, for AI cases. LBVD officials work closely with farmers to
ensure the reporting of any irregular poultry deaths. Local LBVD
and MOH teams can then respond immediately, culling poultry,
establishing quarantine areas, and monitoring both animal and human
health for future outbreaks.


4. (SBU) In addition to early detection and response, the Burmese
Government, working with WHO, FAO, and UNICEF, have educated more
than 14,500 farmers, veterinarians, health officials, and local
officials on the dangers of AI and the need for early detection.
More than 2,500 farmers, after receiving training on biosecurity
measures, have implemented proper procedures to prevent the spread
of AI. Targeting the supply chain is important to preventing the
spread of the disease, Dr. Than Tun emphasized.


5. (SBU) In recent months, LBVD took steps to improve surveillance,
collecting serum and swab samples from ducks in Mon State, Rangoon
Division, Mandalay Division, and Sagaing Division. By identifying
sero-positive ducks, which are often carriers of H5N1, LBVD can

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better monitor these areas for possible future outbreaks and
encourage farmers to move quickly to kill the ducks before they
infect other birds. While LBVD has identified sero-positive ducks
in 15 out of 80 villages, Dr. Than Tun admitted that these ducks
might not infect other poultry with AI. LBVD is ready for another
outbreak, he said, recognizing that Burma is now entering peak AI
period.

Looking Toward the Future
--------------


6. (SBU) WHO and FAO officials acknowledged that the GOB still has
work to do to strengthen its AI program. The National Avian
Influenza Response Plan should be updated to incorporate best
practices and lessons learned, Tang told us. WHO and FAO will work
with the GOB agencies to establish a monitoring and evaluation
framework, which will enhance the monitoring of donor activities,
evaluate ongoing programs, and assist in identifying and addressing
gaps in the current program. This project is a long-term one, but
will assist the Burmese Government in identifying areas for
improvement, Dr. MacArthur said. The GOB agencies will also
continue coordinating with neighboring countries to share
information about AI outbreaks.


7. (SBU) Dr. Than Tun agreed with the need to address gaps,
including the need to work with wet markets in Rangoon to improve
their biosecurity measures. In 2008, LBVD and FAO plan to work with
the Yangon City Development Council (YCDC) to restructure the large
live bird and wet markets in Rangoon. Currently, more than 40,000
live birds move in and out of the Rangoon markets daily, with many
culled onsite. Establishing a separate culling facility is
important to preventing human infections, Tang told us.


8. (SBU) Additionally, the GOB will work to update labs and train
technicians so they can more quickly identify new H5N1 cases. The
MOH, with the assistance of the WHO, will inaugurate its new
National Influenza Center in Rangoon in late February. LBVD must do
the same with their Animal Health Laboratory, Dr. Than Tun said.
LBVD officials also addressed the need for a comprehensive
compensation policy to ensure that farmers report quickly any
possible AI outbreaks (Ref B),but acknowledged that the lack of
funding from the government precludes implementation. The GOB often
compensates farmers in-kind, with either cell phones, low-cost
loans, or day-old chicks. The real problem, Dr. Than Tun continued,
is that "backyard farmers" try to hide their chickens to prevent
LBVD from culling them. LBVD must work with local farmers to
control the market chain, he said.

Comment
--------------


9. (SBU) GOB agencies remain committed to improving their ability
to respond to AI outbreaks and prevent the spread of the disease,
which was demonstrated again during the GOB's response to the first
human AI case in December. The Burmese have come far in the past
two years and have shown a willingness to work with, share
information, and openly discuss AI issues with us. Despite their
success, they are their own worst critics. Their honest assessment
of their capabilities shows a real understanding of the importance
of preventing AI outbreaks and the need to work with neighboring
countries to prevent a regional pandemic. We should continue to
work with LBVD and MOH to strengthen their capabilities on this
disease, which knows no borders.

VILLAROSA