Cablegate: New Ai Outbreak in Poultry in Burma's Bago Division

VZCZCXRO7870
OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH
DE RUEHGO #0702 2131033
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 011033Z AUG 07
FM AMEMBASSY RANGOON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6295
INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 1469
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 0394
RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 4569
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 3934
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 5042
RUEHVI/AMEMBASSY VIENNA 0083
RUEHCN/AMCONSUL CHENGDU 1155
RUDKIA/AMCONSUL CHIANG MAI 1023
RUEHCI/AMCONSUL KOLKATA 0018
RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHDC
RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHINGTON DC
RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA
RUEHRC/USDA FAS WASHDC
RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC

UNCLAS RANGOON 000702

SIPDIS

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:JWALLER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR EAID AMED PGOV PREL CASC TBIO KFLU BM
SUBJECT: NEW AI OUTBREAK IN POULTRY IN BURMA'S BAGO DIVISION

REF: A. A) RANGOON 689

B. B) RANGOON 551

1. (SBU) On August 1, Burmese Livestock Breeding and
Veterinary Department confirmed that between July 26 and July
30, 37 chickens died on a private farm in Letpadan Township
in Thayawaddy District of Bago Division. Letpadan Township
is located 160 kilometers north of Rangoon on the highway to
Pyay (Prome). Local LBVD officials conducted tests with
Rapid Test Kits on July 30 and found the dead birds to be
Type A positive for AI. Officials performed further PCR
tests, verifying on July 31 that the birds were infected with
H5N1. This is the second case of AI in Bago Division this
year, the last case occurring on a military-owned poultry
farm in early June (ref B).

2. (SBU) LBVD officials informed us that local officials
implemented GOB AI biosecurity measures, culling the
remaining 3,763 chickens and decontaminating the farm on July
30. Authorities quarantined the farm, imposing a restricted
zone within a one kilometer radius and a control zone of
three kilometers. Unlike in June, the local government has
also prohibited the movement of poultry and poultry products
within the township. Officials continue to monitor the
health of humans and poultry in the restricted area. LBVD
believes that the disease is contained, and LBVD Director
General U Maung Maung Nyunt met with township authorities to
discuss a work plan for the prevention of the spread of AI.

3. (SBU) Officials have not yet determined the source of
the virus and do not suspect any human cases.

STOLTZ

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