Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department of the Ministry of Livestock Breeding and Fisheries issued a press release on death of chicken in central Myanmar.

1. Death of chicken: The LBVD carried out restriction and control measures on prevention and control of disease regarding the death of chicken and quails in Shwebo District, Sagaing Division from the first week of February 2006 to 26-3-2006 and Mandalay District, Mandalay Division from 8- 3-2006 to 26-3-2006.

(A) Death of chicken/those destroyed

Out of 60,929 fowls at 93 poultry farms 6,731 died in Shwebo District (Shwebo, KhinU, Kanbalu and YeU) from the time of chicken death to 26-3-2006, altogether 24,836 fowls were culled and buried. In Mandalay District (Pyigyidagun, Amarapura, Chanmyathazi, Chanayethazan, Maha Aungmye and Aungmyethazan) 2,060 fowls died at 99 poultry farms where 111,919 were kept and 96,159 were destroyed. Therefore, 8,791 fowls died and 120,995 fowls and 560 eggs were destroyed and buried in those districts.

(B) Death of quails and those destroyed

Altogether 1,941 quails at two quail farms in Shwebo District and 115,650 quails in 44 quail farms in Mandalay District and 50,515 eggs were killed/destroyed. Therefore, 117,591 quails and 50,515 quail eggs were killed/destroyed and buried.

(C) Finding of bird flu virus

After the initial outbreaks in the cull zone in Kanbalu, KhinU, YeU, Pyigyidagun, Amarapura, Chanmyathazi, Chanayethazan, Maha Aungmye and Aungmyethazan Townships, investigation was made at 47 poultry farms.

A total of 433 samples (blood, inner organs of the chicken and trachea) were collected and examined through rapid test and HA, HI and PCR processes. The H5N1 virus was detected in 26 samples of 35 chicken farms.

2. Control of disease: Under the supervision of local authorities the LBVD is taking measures on disease control in the cull zones in cooperation with Health Department, Development Affairs Departments, Myanmar Livestock Breeding Federation and breeders and with the assistance of disease control experts from international organizations. All the fowls in the farms from one kilometre radius of the farm where the virus was found were culled for risk prevention. The destruction included 120,995, fowls, 112,414 quails, 50,515 quail eggs and 560 eggs.

The farms and other materials were sprayed with pesticides. The ban on sale and transport of animals and their products was imposed after the control and restricted and control areas were designated between 3 kilometres and 7 kilometres from the infected farm. It was found that there was no evidence of human and other animal infections from the H5N1. The situation is now under control in affected townships of Mandalay Division.

3. The latest condition up to 26-3-2006: The disease has been brought under control in Shwebo, KhinU except in Kaboe Village in Kanbalu Township and Mandalay District; control measures continue at Kaboe Village.

4. Cooperation with international organizations: Regional Coordinator of FAO Dr K Watanabe and Regional Coordinator of USAID of the United States Dr John MacArthur in cooperation with the LBVD made a field trip to the affected areas in Mandalay and Shwebo Districts and took emergency measures on control of the disease. Minister for Livestock Breeding and Fisheries Brig-Gen Maung Maung Thein received the FAO and WHO resident representatives to Myanmar and discussed bird flu control programmes.

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and a regional laboratory in Australia provided educative posters and laboratory equipment. Myanmar received protective gear, testing kits and others worth about US $ 100,000 provided by FAO, JICA and the regional laboratory in Australia. Three experts from FAO, JICA and DLD of Thailand together with Dr K Watanabe will conduct disease control in Mandalay and Shwebo for two weeks beginning 28-3-2006.

5. Rehabilitation: Under the programme of the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, the Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department, the Myanma Livestock Breeding and Fisheries Development Bank and the Myanmar Livestock Breeding Federation will jointly take measures for rehabilitation of the affected chicken runs.

6. Regions that have not been infected: To ensure normal rate of consumption and trade of domestic chickens and chicken products in such regions, State/Division Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Departments will hold coordination meetings and issue animal health certificates to livestock breeders and traders to distribute products with the permission of respective local authorities.

Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department

Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries