VZCZCXRO4046
OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH
DE RUEHGO #0689 2080916
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 270916Z JUL 07
FM AMEMBASSY RANGOON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6280
INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 1468
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 0389
RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 4568
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 3929
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 7484
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 5037
RUEHVI/AMEMBASSY VIENNA 0082
RUEHCN/AMCONSUL CHENGDU 1154
RUDKIA/AMCONSUL CHIANG MAI 1022
RUEHCI/AMCONSUL KOLKATA 0017
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 000689
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 MON STATE
REF: RANGOON 551 AND PREVIOUS
1. (SBU) Summary: Based on both Rapid Test Kit results and
PCR tests, the Burmese Livestock Breeding and Veterinary
Department (LBVD) confirmed on July 26 a new outbreak of H5N1
avian influenza on two farms in Mon State. More than 600
chickens died and the remaining 312 were culled. The
municipal government quarantined the farms, establishing a
restricted zone of one kilometer radius and a control zone of
three kilometers radius. The GOB has also restricted the
movement of poultry within the area and notified the OIE of
this outbreak. Officials have not yet determined the source
of the virus and do not suspect any human cases. End Summary.
2. (SBU) On July 27, LBVD officials informed us, as well as
FAO and WHO representatives and the OIE, that between July 19
and July 25, 638 chickens died on two private farms in
Thanbyuzayat Township in Mon State. Thanbyuzayat is located
about 40 miles south of the provincial capital of Moulmein
(Mawlamyine) on the main railway and highway to the south.
Conducting preliminary tests with a Rapid Test Kit on July
24, LBVD officials found the dead birds to be Type A positive
for AI. LBVD performed further PCR tests and on July 26
confirmed that the birds were infected with H5N1.
3. (SBU) Per GOB AI procedures, LBVD implemented
biosecurity measures, culling the remaining 312 chickens and
decontaminating the farms on July 25. The municipal
government, assisted by the Myanmar Livestock Federation,
quarantined the two infected farms, imposing a restricted
zone within one kilometer radius of the farms. The GOB also
established a control zone of within three kilometers,
prohibiting the movement of poultry products. Authorities
are also monitoring the health of humans and poultry in the
restricted area. LBVD officials believe that the disease is
contained, but an LBVD investigation team, joined by FAO
Representative Dr. Tang Zhengpin and FAO consultant on AI Dr.
Tin Aye Kyi, went to Mon State on July 27 to follow up.
4. (SBU) Comment: The GOB continues to share information
promptly about AI outbreaks and subsequent GOB actions with
us and UN agencies. The GOB's lack of strong epidemiology
and inadequate lab technician capacity remain concerns, and
the Ministry of Health and LBVD have indicated they welcome
more help in those areas. We will take advantage of a visit
by USAID Bangkok Infectious Diseases Team Leader Dr. John
MacArthur to meet with LBVD, WHO, FAO and others to discuss
the most recent outbreak and the GOB response. End Comment.
STOLTZ