Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KOLKATA43
2009-02-20 04:50:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Kolkata
Cable title:
AVIAN INFLUENZA OUTBREAK CONFIRMED IN WEST BENGAL'S SOUTH
how-toVZCZCXRO7519 RR RUEHAST RUEHBI RUEHDBU RUEHLH RUEHNEH RUEHPW DE RUEHCI #0043 0510450 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 200450Z FEB 09 FM AMCONSUL KOLKATA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2271 INFO RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE USD FAS WASHINGTON DC RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHINGTON DC RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE RUEHCI/AMCONSUL KOLKATA 2782
UNCLAS KOLKATA 000043
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR OES/PCI, OES/IHB AND SCA/INS
STATE FOR STAS AND AIAG (REED-ROWE)
STATE PASS TO NSF FOR INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
STATE PASS TO USAID
HHS FOR NIH/FIC (GLASS/MAMPILLY/HANDLEY)
HHS FOR FDA (LUMPKIN/VALDEZ)
HHS PASS TO OGHA (STEIGER/ABDOO)
HHS FOR CDC (BLOUNT/COX)
USDA FOR APHIS (FLEMING/BURLESON)
USDA FOR FAS (RIKER/BEAN)
NEW DELHI FOR FAS/APHIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR SENV CASC PGOV AMED KFLU IN BD
SUBJECT: AVIAN INFLUENZA OUTBREAK CONFIRMED IN WEST BENGAL'S SOUTH
DINAJPUR DISTRICT
REF: KOLKATA 28
UNCLAS KOLKATA 000043
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR OES/PCI, OES/IHB AND SCA/INS
STATE FOR STAS AND AIAG (REED-ROWE)
STATE PASS TO NSF FOR INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
STATE PASS TO USAID
HHS FOR NIH/FIC (GLASS/MAMPILLY/HANDLEY)
HHS FOR FDA (LUMPKIN/VALDEZ)
HHS PASS TO OGHA (STEIGER/ABDOO)
HHS FOR CDC (BLOUNT/COX)
USDA FOR APHIS (FLEMING/BURLESON)
USDA FOR FAS (RIKER/BEAN)
NEW DELHI FOR FAS/APHIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR SENV CASC PGOV AMED KFLU IN BD
SUBJECT: AVIAN INFLUENZA OUTBREAK CONFIRMED IN WEST BENGAL'S SOUTH
DINAJPUR DISTRICT
REF: KOLKATA 28
1. (SBU) On February 17, the Principal Secretary of West
Bengal's Animal Resources Development (ARD) Department confirmed
the presence of avian influenza (AI) H5N1 virus in backyard
poultry of Barmahar village in South Dinajpur district. The
latest epicenter is located approximately 300 km north of
Kolkata, 25 km from the Bangladesh border and 180 km away from
the recently reported outbreak in Coochbehar, West Bengal (Ref
A). South Dinajpur is the fourth West Bengal district to report
an AI outbreak since November 2008. In January 2008 there was
an AI outbreak in the district; however, in a different
location. The district magistrate issued a formal culling order
on February 17; however, they had already begun preparations for
culling after noticing the deaths of more than 800 birds since
February 12.
2. (SBU) On February 18, the district magistrate deployed 31
Rapid Response Teams, each comprised of five persons, to cull
32,000 poultry within the three kilometer radius of the
epicenter. According to the district magistrate, the teams will
finish their culling work by February 20, to be followed by two
days of mopping and decontamination. The three kilometer
culling radius includes villages from the neighboring district
of North Dinajpur.
Comment
3. (SBU) The government of West Bengal continues to demonstrate
its willingness and improved capability to effectively contain
this year's AI outbreaks. Media reporting has also, as of late,
tended to be less sensational and more factual, than last year's
hysteria. This may reflect a difference in the smaller scale
and scope of this year's AI outbreak, an improved state
government response to, and a low public interest in, avian
influenza.
PAYNE
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR OES/PCI, OES/IHB AND SCA/INS
STATE FOR STAS AND AIAG (REED-ROWE)
STATE PASS TO NSF FOR INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
STATE PASS TO USAID
HHS FOR NIH/FIC (GLASS/MAMPILLY/HANDLEY)
HHS FOR FDA (LUMPKIN/VALDEZ)
HHS PASS TO OGHA (STEIGER/ABDOO)
HHS FOR CDC (BLOUNT/COX)
USDA FOR APHIS (FLEMING/BURLESON)
USDA FOR FAS (RIKER/BEAN)
NEW DELHI FOR FAS/APHIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR SENV CASC PGOV AMED KFLU IN BD
SUBJECT: AVIAN INFLUENZA OUTBREAK CONFIRMED IN WEST BENGAL'S SOUTH
DINAJPUR DISTRICT
REF: KOLKATA 28
1. (SBU) On February 17, the Principal Secretary of West
Bengal's Animal Resources Development (ARD) Department confirmed
the presence of avian influenza (AI) H5N1 virus in backyard
poultry of Barmahar village in South Dinajpur district. The
latest epicenter is located approximately 300 km north of
Kolkata, 25 km from the Bangladesh border and 180 km away from
the recently reported outbreak in Coochbehar, West Bengal (Ref
A). South Dinajpur is the fourth West Bengal district to report
an AI outbreak since November 2008. In January 2008 there was
an AI outbreak in the district; however, in a different
location. The district magistrate issued a formal culling order
on February 17; however, they had already begun preparations for
culling after noticing the deaths of more than 800 birds since
February 12.
2. (SBU) On February 18, the district magistrate deployed 31
Rapid Response Teams, each comprised of five persons, to cull
32,000 poultry within the three kilometer radius of the
epicenter. According to the district magistrate, the teams will
finish their culling work by February 20, to be followed by two
days of mopping and decontamination. The three kilometer
culling radius includes villages from the neighboring district
of North Dinajpur.
Comment
3. (SBU) The government of West Bengal continues to demonstrate
its willingness and improved capability to effectively contain
this year's AI outbreaks. Media reporting has also, as of late,
tended to be less sensational and more factual, than last year's
hysteria. This may reflect a difference in the smaller scale
and scope of this year's AI outbreak, an improved state
government response to, and a low public interest in, avian
influenza.
PAYNE