Cablegate: Ai Field Trip Shows Gob Implementing Biosecurity Measures

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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 RANGOON 000857

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E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: EAGR EAID AMED PGOV PREL CASC TBIO KFLU BM
SUBJECT: AI FIELD TRIP SHOWS GOB IMPLEMENTING BIOSECURITY MEASURES

REF: Rangoon 738

RANGOON 00000857 001.2 OF 003

1. (SBU) Summary. During a field trip to Taikkyi Township in
Northern Rangoon Division, Embassy officers saw firsthand how the
Burmese Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department (LBVD) and
local farmers implemented avian influenza biosecurity procedures.
LBVD, in conjunction with the FAO and WHO, have trained more than 75
veterinarians and hosted more than fifty biosecurity training
courses throughout Burma in 2007. Although LBVD has also provided
some compensation to farmers, lack of a clear compensation program
remains a concern. During visits to two chicken farms outside of
Rangoon, donors saw how well local farmers have implemented the
biosecurity measures taught in the LBVD training classes. End
Summary.

Teaching Biosecurity Measures
-----------------------------

2. (SBU) Officials from LBVD, the Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the
Australian, Japanese, and U.S. Embassies traveled to Taikkyi
Township in Northern Rangoon Division (approximately 70 miles north
of Rangoon) to attend the opening ceremony of an LBVD Biosecurity
Training Course and to observe biosecurity measures implemented at
two local chicken farms. During the training session opening
ceremony, LBVD and FAO officials emphasized the importance of
cooperating with international NGOS and local chicken farmers to
prevent avian influenza (AI) outbreaks. U Myat Kyaw, Chair of the
Township Peace and Development Council, thanked the donors and
emphasized that AI not only affects chickens, but threatens the
livelihood of farmers.

3. (SBU) LBVD officials informed us of its plans to improve AI
procedures. Recognizing how economically devastating AI could be to
Burma, LBVD wants to shift its program to address long-term needs
rather than implementing only short-term measures. Pleading for
additional AI assistance, LBVD Rangoon Division Chief Dr. Soe Win
explained that LBVD would use the money to improve surveillance and
biosecurity measures, look for ways to mitigate the negative impact
of the disease on vulnerable groups, and create incentives for
reporting by establishing a compensation policy. He observed that
LBVD and MOH officials continue to lack epidemiology skills, but
hoped that donors would fund the FAO's proposal to hire an
international epidemiology specialist to train health workers.

Increasing Awareness
--------------------

4. (SBU) To increase public awareness of AI, LBVD plans in 2007 to
host 90 one-day biosecurity training classes with 50 participants,
for a total of 4,500 people trained. These training sessions target
local poultry farmers, local veterinarians, and health workers, and
teach them proper measures to prevent AI outbreaks. To date, LBVD
has conducted more than 50 courses, training more than 2,500 people.
In March, LBVD held a two-day training course for 75 veterinarians,
who are certified to conduct further training at the township level
throughout the country. In the September 7 session, 31 farmers,
one veterinarian, four chicken sellers, and fourteen local NGO and
health officials participated.

--------------------------------------------- ---------
LBVD Biosecurity Training Plan, 2007
--------------------------------------------- ---------
State/Division Number of Total Cost
Courses in Kyat
--------------------------------------------- ---------

RANGOON 00000857 002.2 OF 003

Kachin State 5 1,150,000
Kayah State 1 230,000
Kayin State 3 690,000
Chin State 2 460,000
Sagaing Division 8 1,840,000
Mandalay Division 17 3,910,000
Mon State 4 920,000
Tanintharyi Division 3 690,000
Bago (East) Division 8 1,840,000
Bago (West) Division 4 920,000
Magway Division 3 690,000
Rakhine State 2 460,000
Shan (East) State 2 460,000
Shan (South) State 4 920,000
Shan (North) State 5 1,150,000
Rangoon (South) Division 5 1,150,000
Rangoon (North) Division 6 1,380,000
Irrawaddy Division 8 1,840,000
Total 90 20,700,000
--------------------------------------------- ---------
Source: LBVD, September 2007
(Note: Total spent is approximately $15,000. End Note.)

5. (SBU) WHO Country Director Adik Wibowo inquired about the
relationship between LBVD and the Ministry of Health in dealing with
AI outbreaks. National AI Project Coordinator Dr. Than Htun
explained that LBVD informs the Ministry of Health of outbreaks, and
local MOH officials often visit the outbreak site to conduct their
human health surveys. Currently, the Ministry of Health lacks the
capacity to test humans for AI, and instead monitors those living
around AI outbreak sites for a one-week period. LBVD has trained
more than 20 MOH officials in the biosecurity classes.

Still No Compensation Policy
----------------------------

6. (SBU) In addition to biosecurity training, Dr. Soe Win
explained how the GOB is working to help farmers hurt by the
disease. In Sagaing Division, the GOB launched a pilot project,
setting aside a total of 181 acres in five townships for new poultry
zones. These zones, located outside of residential areas, are
equipped with telephone connections, water, and electricity. In
terms of compensation, the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries has
provided farmers with more than 87,000 day old chicks (total value
35 million kyat or $26,000) and the Livestock Bank has provided more
than 100 farmers with low-interest loans. Additionally, the GOB,
which closely guards cell phone licenses, granted permission to
several farmers to purchase cell phones. These farmers borrowed
money to cover the cost of the phone and SIM card (more than $1,500
for both), which they either resold at a higher price or used to set
up set up a side business, charging customers who use the phone.

7. (SBU) Tang Zhengping, FAO Country Director, noted that while
LBVD has provided compensation to some farmers, others have yet to
be remunerated. The GOB, he underscored, must establish a
comprehensive compensation package to encourage farmers to report
any AI outbreaks (reftel). When asked how long it takes the
government to provide farmers with compensation, Dr. Soe Win
admitted that not all farmers have been compensated, and that the
Ministry of Livestock and Breeding must evaluate each case before
providing compensation. It takes between 4-5 months to provide
compensation. The Ministry, he emphasized, wants to offer one to
one compensation for chickens lost, but lacks the necessary funding.

The Case of Two Chicken Farms

RANGOON 00000857 003.2 OF 003

-----------------------------

8. (SBU) After the opening ceremony, we visited two large
commercial chicken farms in Mawbi Township to view how they
implement biosecurity measures. Neither farm previously experienced
an AI outbreak, although the second farm was located six miles from
a farm infected by AI in 2006. At both farms, visitors had to wear
protective coverings on their feet and were advised to not touch the
birds. Before entering the first farm, we had to dip our feet in an
ammonia disinfectant solution. At the second farm, only the workers
were permitted to enter the chicken coop area after going through a
disinfecting process; we could only watch. Both farmers explained
that they attended the LBVD training class to prevent an AI outbreak
on their farms. Before the class, they had limited knowledge of AI,
but have since learned how they can protect their farms and workers.
The owner of the second farm explained that his staff, now aware of
AI symptoms, knows what to look for and how to contain the site. He
is confident that the biosecurity measures will help protect his
farm from an AI outbreak, although he assured us that if an outbreak
occurred on his farm, he would report it immediately.

Comment
-------

9. (SBU) LBVD continues to do what it can with its limited
resources to increase public awareness of avian influenza. LBVD
officials recognize that the lack of a real compensation package is
an issue; while they remain confident that farmers are reporting
cases, they cannot confirm whether they report in a timely fashion.
Shifting the focus to encompass long term goals, such as a
compensation policy, requires additional funding -- funding that the
generals, who fail to comprehend the destructive nature of AI, do
not provide. While donor assistance plays a key role in educating
the public about the dangers of AI, government funding is necessary
for the establishment of a comprehensive compensation policy.

VILLAROSA

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