BURMA: GOB RESPONDS TO SWINE FLU; NO OUTBREAK IN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 000238 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS, G/AIAG; PACOM FOR FPA; USDA FOR FAS/PECAD, FAS/CNMP, FAS/AAD, APHIS; BANGKOK FOR USAID:JMACARTHUR, APHIS:NCARDENAS, REO:HHOWARD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR EAID AMED PGOV PREL CASC TBIO KFLU BM SUBJECT: BURMA: GOB RESPONDS TO SWINE FLU; NO OUTBREAK IN BURMA REF: STATE 41768 RANGOON 00000238 001.2 OF 002 Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) The Burmese Government has informed us, and WHO agrees, that, contrary to a BBC Burma Service radio report, there are no cases of swine flu in either humans or animals in Burma. The GOB continues to coordinate among various Ministries and plans to produce a swine flu action plan shortly. While local press has reported on swine flu outbreaks worldwide, the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries does not plan to issue a press release about the disease unless swine flu cases are confirmed in Asia. The Ministry will host a meeting with the Livestock Federation and owners of large farms on April 28 to discuss biosecurity measures. End Summary. No Outbreak of Swine Flu -------------- ¶2. (SBU) According to Livestock Breeding Veterinary Department (LBVD) Deputy Director General Aung Gyi, the April 26 Burmese language BBC radio report alleging five cases of swine flu in Burma is inaccurate. LBVD and World Health Organization (WHO) officials emphasize that as of April 27, there are no cases of swine flu in either humans or animals. While local newspapers have reported on swine flu outbreaks in Mexico and the United States, Aung Gyi told us that the Ministry of Livestock does not plan to issue a press statement about the disease because it does not want to cause a public panic. Should there be any outbreaks of the disease in Asia, the Ministry of Livestock will issue a statement in both Burmese and English to educate the public. The Ministries of Livestock and Health have held a meeting in Nay Pyi Taw to discuss the swine flu outbreak and to establish contingency plans should an outbreak occur. Embassy Rangoon will seek a readout of the meeting and will inquire about a GOB action plan. Testing Capacity Limited -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Aung Gyi acknowledged that LBVD laboratories have little ability to test for H1N1. LBVD is prepared to use avian influenza rapid test kits to preliminarily test any potential swine flu outbreaks, and would send any samples to Bangkok for further testing. Aung Gyi commented that LBVD may seek donor funding to provide additional rapid test kits to improve the GOB's ability to identify and respond to the disease. ¶4. (SBU) Aung Gyi also confirmed that while Burma has had no instances of swine flu in the past, swine fever is prevalent among local livestock. This disease is not transmittable to humans, and LBVD produces vaccines to prevent the spread of the disease. Preliminary Precautions -------------- ¶5. (SBU) The Ministry of Livestock, currently the lead agency on swine flu, will host a meeting with the Myanmar Livestock Federation and owners of large pig farms on April 28 to discuss biosecurity measures and reporting of any irregularities. U Aung Than, Director of the Directorate of Trade in the Ministry of Commerce, told us that the Ministry RANGOON 00000238 002.2 OF 002 of Commerce does not currently have plans to restrict imports or exports of pig products, even though the Government of Thailand plans to do so. Currently, the majority of trade in pork occurs through illegal border trade; neither the Ministry of Livestock, Customs, nor the Ministry of Commerce have plans to monitor this trade. According to Deputy DG Aung Gyi, the Ministry of Health is considering imposing quarantine measures at the Rangoon International Airport. Comment -------------- ¶6. (SBU) It appears that the Ministry of Livestock is taking measures to address swine flu, including education of farmers and prevention activities. We expect that it will model a swine flu action plan after its successful avian influenza program. We will continue to coordinate with the Ministries of Health, Livestock, and Commerce, as well as the WHO, to ascertain information on the GOB's plans to prevent a swine flu outbreak among both humans and animals. We expect that the Ministries of Health and Livestock, which have limited ability to test for and confirm cases of H1N1, will request donor assistance to improve their capacities. DINGER