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

VZCZCXRO5664
OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH
DE RUEHGO #1041 2951032
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 221032Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY RANGOON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6714
INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 1561
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 0618
RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 4644
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 4155
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 7708
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 5267
RUEHCN/AMCONSUL CHENGDU 1232
RUEHCHI/AMCONSUL CHIANG MAI 1146
RUEHCI/AMCONSUL KOLKATA 0098
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 001041

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: RANGOON 709

1. (SBU) Burmese Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department
(LBVD) officials informed us on October 22 that between
October 18-19, approximately 500 quail died on two private
farms in Thanatpin Township, Bago Division (75 miles north of
Rangoon). Bago Division LBVD Deputy Director and staff
conducted tests with Rapid Test Kits on October 18 and found
the dead birds to be Type A positive for AI. Officials sent
samples to the Central Veterinary Lab in Rangoon for further
PCR testing. On October 19, LBVD confirmed that the birds
tested positive for H5N1. This is the second case of AI in
Bago Division this year; the last case occurred on a farm in
Letpadan Township in July (Reftel).

2. (SBU) According to LBVD officials, local officials
responded quickly on October 19, implementing the GOB's AI
biosecurity measures. They culled the remaining 2,800
chickens, destroyed 838 quail eggs and 53 kilos of quail
feed, and decontaminated the farms. Authorities quarantined
the two farms, and imposed a restricted zone within a one
kilometer radius and a control zone of three kilometers. 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
Deputy Director Dr. Than Htun and Bago Division Livestock
Federation Chairman U Aung Win traveled to Thanatpin
Township, met with local authorities, and updated local LBVD
officials about disease prevention and control measures.

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

© Scoop Media