Laos - H5N1 - Poultry

[Commonground]

ProMED: AVIAN INFLUENZA - MBDS REGION (11): LAOS (PHONGSALY)


Date: Thu 19 Feb 2009
Source: Vientiane Times [edited]
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Phongsaly culls poultry in bird flu outbreak
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Officials in Phongsaly province yesterday [18 Feb 2009] culled
poultry after bird flu was detected in Khua district, according to a
provincial avian influenza control officer.

"We believe there will be no more outbreaks of bird flu in the area
as we have culled large numbers of poultry," Mr Somphone Ounmixay said.

A total of 903 chickens and 39 ducks in 5 villages of the district
were culled to halt the spread of the H5N1 virus.

The virus was detected last Friday [13 Feb 2009] in the villages of
Phonxay Neua, Phonxay Tay, Sopkay, Haddeua, and Huaymeuang.

"We are very lucky because no humans have contracted the virus," Mr
Somphone said.

Provincial and district authorities have strengthened capacity for
early detection and warnings through community-based field
surveillance, for rapid and effective response, and to raise public
awareness of the virus.

Addressing the spread of the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus has been a
priority for the Lao government since its 1st appearance in the
country in February 2004. So far, 2 people have died from avian
influenza in Laos.

"People around the world are afraid the virus will become
transmissible between humans. Now it can only transmit from poultry
to humans," said Mr Somphone.

Phongsaly officials have stepped up the publicity campaign on bird
flu in the district, aiming to familiarise people with the nature of the virus.

Mr Somphone said authorities were closely monitoring the transport
and trading of poultry and poultry products, and would seize and
destroy any poultry found to have come from surrounding areas.

In the 5 affected villages, the disinfection of poultry farms,
vehicles, markets, and slaughterhouses, accompanied by the
vaccination of poultry, has been carried out as part of the bird flu
prevention plan.

Mr Somphone said the authorities' publicity campaign also involves
advising people to guard against bird flu by washing their hands
whenever they come into contact with poultry.

"People should definitely not eat chickens or ducks that have fallen
sick and died," he said. According to the World Health Organisation
(WHO), at least 226 people have died worldwide from avian influenza since 2003.

[Byline: Khonesavanh Latsaphao]
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[Commonground]

Re: Laos - H5N1 - Poultry

One province in northern Laos bird flu outbreak

February 19, 2009

Xinhua Hanoi, February 19 (Xinhua Han Qiao) Vientiane news: According to Laos "Vientiane Times" reported on the 19th, the Lao province of northern Phongsali emergence of avian flu, the local has been caught more than 900 chickens and 30 ducks.

It has been responsible for bird flu prevention and control of the province, an official said, a total of five parts of the village poultry infected with avian flu virus has not yet found a local person infected with avian Flu.

Reported that, in order to prevent the spread of the epidemic, government departments and provincial governments Phongsali spot areas have farms, slaughterhouses and markets to strengthen disinfection, and in the province of poultry and poultry products, transport, trade to strengthen the monitoring, once found from the infected points of poultry, immediately destroyed.

According to another Lao media in November last year and in September reported that the country's north-east Sayaboury Province and is located in north-central province of Luang Prabang has happened poultry infected with avian flu.

[Treyfish]

Re: Laos - H5N1 - Poultry

Avian influenza Outbreak in Phongsaly: Control and surveillance measures ongoing

(KPL) An avian influenza outbreak was confirmed last week in Muang Koua District, Phongsaly Province. This is the first province this year where the disease is detected and where previously avian influenza was not found.
According to the source from FAO Lao office, two red zones, meaning the 1 km zones around a place where avian influenza was detected, have been declared. One red zone is located directly in the district capital city and the center of the other is located approximately three kilometers away on the road to Oudomxay. A joint Department of Livestock and Fisheries (DLF) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) team has been on field mission since February 14th to directly advise the local authorities on adequate control measures and enabled good coordination.
Dr. Bounlom Douangngeun, Director of the National Animal Health Center (NAHC), who is on site within the FAO mission, explained ?Intense active surveillance is still ongoing in the villages of the 5km yellow zone surrounding the two red zones to ensure that the disease is not spreading further. The number of samples per village flock being taken is such that it will detect, with 95% confidence, a positive bird at 5% of prevalence. Movement control check posts have been set up and the market in Muang Koua has been closed for poultry and poultry products. Mainly chicken eggs and poultry meat originating from China was confiscated. Outbreak investigation has determined onset of the disease at the end of January, which was simultaneous with the Chinese New Year and Tet festivals. The outbreaks are located at only 1.5 hours road from Vietnam, though origin of poultry products usually available on the market is estimated to be 80% from China passing through Oudomxay province, and only 20% directly from Vietnam. Exact origin of the disease could however so far not be determined. Mortality of infected birds was found to be extremely rapid.?
The villagers from the red zone were informed about the necessary actions, which had to be put in place to control the disease and this included movement control, culling and disinfection, and ban on poultry selling. The main culling operation was finalized yesterday with more than 2500 poultry culled, but a few small scavenging chicken which could not be caught still remain and will be culled within the next days. Compensation is expected to be provided shortly to the poultry farmers at sixty percent of the market value.Dr. Ricarda Mondry, Chief Technical Adviser for the FAO Avian Influenza Programme pointed out that ?Rapid laboratory testing of suspect samples and immediate declaration of avian influenza outbreaks is essential to avoid further spread to other provinces. Furthermore farmers should be well informed on the exact amount and procedures of compensation paid for culled poultry, so that they collaborate with the authorities during the control operations. This will also encourage reporting of suspect poultry mortalities in other villages. Finally it is crucial that adequate funds for implementation of control measures on district level are available immediately.?
The DLF and the Avian Influenza Programme managed by the FAO have been working intensively with all the provinces since 2006 to strengthen the veterinary services in preventing and controlling avian influenza, financed by the governments of Germany, Japan, and the United States.
Dr. Ricarda Mondry mentioned that ?the outbreak investigation training for provincial and district livestock staff conducted by FAO and NAHC in Phongsaly seems to have built sufficient local capacity to determine the extent of the outbreak and adjust the culling zone accordingly.
Livestock staff from Phongsaly province had also attended the simulation exercise supported by FAO in Oudomxay in June 2008. FAO had furthermore trained 80 VVW in Muang Koua District beginning of 2008, who were responsible for reporting poultry mortality occurring in their village. Since August 2007, FAO has provided continuous support to 10 provinces to follow up any disease reported, be it through the provincial and district livestock offices or through the 166 hotline. The livestock staff have rapidly conducted adequate disease investigation measures and sent in the samples to the AI laboratory.??The first report of poultry mortality in the district, later confirmed to be avian influenza, was given by a Village Veterinary Worker (VVW) trained by DLF staff with support through FAO in April 2008. This clearly indicates the impact the joint AI programme has on early detection of the disease and that continuous support to train VVW would be beneficial? adds Dr. Mondry.
During an outbreak, coordination among staff at different levels and among involved sectors is an essential factor to contain rapidly the disease. FAO in collaboration with the NAHC of the DLF took the lead in the animal disease investigation and control measures. Information on the diagnosis was shared with the office of the World Health Organization (WHO) and National Center for Laboratory and Epidemiology (NCLE) to ensure rapid response action from the human health side.
?Efficient coordination and implementation of emergency measures by the staff from different sectors from the central, provincial to district level as well as the international partners involved in the rapid detection and control of avian influenza outbreaks is very important, in order to avoid further
spread of the disease which would take a high toll on the livelihood of poor farmers??, said Dr. Bounkhouang Khambounheuang, Director General of the Department of Livestock and Fisheries.
At present, the ongoing surveillance is being conducted not only in Phongsaly but also in the other neighboring provinces as well in order to ensure the rapid detection of new HPAI cases in the poultry population.
http://www.kpl.net.la/english/news/edn8.htm

[Shiloh]

Re: Laos - H5N1 - Poultry

Source: http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/20...t_11101047.htm

Lao province at risk of bird flu outbreak
www.chinaview.cn 2009-03-30 16:27:52

HANOI, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Many areas of Phongsaly province of Laos are at risk of infection from the H5N1 bird flu virus as local people are continuing to bring in poultry and eggs illegally from neighboring countries, the Lao newspaper Vientiane Times reported Monday.

Provincial authorities find it hard to identify when and where there's a virus outbreak as people can walk or drive across and engage in casual trade of poultry easily at border areas without checkpoints, said provincial Livestock and Fisheries Deputy Head Somnith Keoboun-ngune.

Last month there was an outbreak of the virus in Khua district, Phongsaly province. Now the outbreak is over and the district was declared bird-flu free today, said Somnith.

To prevent the spread of the virus to other districts, the provincial avian influenza control committee together with district and village committees culled about 2,600 poultry in 11 villages and set up checkpoints, said Somnith.

The provincial livestock and fisheries sector will work with the sectors concerned in leading a public campaign about bird flu, said Somnith.