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Fact Sheet The Outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Thailand. Since the first outbreak of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Hongkong in 1997, Thailand has closely monitored the poultry disease situation. Laboratory surveillance during the period of 1997-2002 revealed all negative result. In the mid of November 2003, there was an outbreak on one layer farm at Nong Bua district, Nakornsawan province. Mixed infection of fowl cholera and acute pasteurellosis (Pasteurella haemolytica) was diagnosed. The outbreak was completely contained. During the end of December 2003, upon receiving information of the outbreak of Avian Influenza in the some ASIAN countries, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives ( MOAC) has responsed by conducting over 100,000 samples in every village to be tested in laboratory. Laboratory results on mid January, 2004 HPAI was also not detected. The first HPAI outbreak in Thailand: Of the 16,000 samples tests, HPAI was firstly detected in a layer farm, Bangplama district, in Suphanburi province, central region of Thailand, on January 23th , 2004. Thailand promptly notified the OIE at the same day and announced Suphanburi province as the infectious disease control zone under the Animal Epidemic Act 1956. Emergency plan for HPAI was immediately launched. Some 2,000 staff and military personel were dispated to stampt-out the animals in this affected area. Within 24 hours, around 4 million chicken were culled. On 29 January 2004, the results of 66,000 labolatory test indicated that 153 samples have been found Avian Influenza. The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives then announced these areas as the infectious disease control under the Animal Epidemic Act 1956. Summary of measures taken by the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives: The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has launched the operation in order to closely monitored and eliminate the outbreak of Avian Influenza. Numbers of measures have been strictly implemented as following summary. 1. Phase I : During the Outbreak 1.1 Pre-emptive action : stamping-out policy. If suspected case is identified that the premise is subjected to quarantine, samples will be collected and analyzed for avian influenza and other possible pathogens. If HPAI is confirmed, particular premise will be depopulated and disinfected. All premises within 5-kilometer radius from the infected farm, classified as restriction zone, will be depopulated and disinfected. On 28 January, the Cabinet has also approved of the principle of compensation and has allocated a budget of 3,000 million baht to compensate the losses of farmers affected in order to facilitate their full cooperation. Results of the stamping-out operation as of 29 January 2004 are 13,882,347 birds from 3,459 farms * . Stamping-out in the restriction zone of 2 provinces, Supanburi and Kanchanaburi provinces were accomplished. ( * Note : The number of culled birds is estimated figure that need confirmation ) 1.2 Surveillance during the outbreak. The area within 50 kilometers radius from infected farm, classified as control zone, is on intensive surveillance. Cloacal swabs will be collected and analyzed for the virus. If the virus is detected, the infected farms will be depopulated and disinfected. 1.3 Movement control. 1) No movement of Avian species within the restriction zone of 5 kilometer radius from the infected farms. 2) Movement of avian species from the areas within 50 kilometer radius from the infected farms , that required certification and approval by Department of Livestock Development ‘s veterinaries, is under strictly movement control and must be transported in the designated route through check points. 3) Products of poultry in the areas the areas within 50 kilometer radius from the infected farms was prohibited for exported. Sixty-five checkpoints were set up by the Department of Livestock Development to enforce the regulations. In addition, the CEO Governors have also asked to set addition checking points by police force in the provinces to strengthen the enforcement. 1.4 Public Awareness Campaign. Information, recommendation and guidelines are distributed to facilitate cooperation and create good understanding among farmers, industry, consumers and the community. 24 hour call center was established in the Department of Livestock Development. To ensure the speed as well as the effectiveness , full commitment is not require only the Department of Livestock Development but also from other agencies within the MOAC as well as Provincial Governors, local authorities and the military. During the past 2-3 days, more than 10,000 people have been mobilized for the purpose of the speedily containing the outbreak. The Government has established the Committee to address the problem of HPAI chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister. The Chairman then called a special meeting of Provincial Governors of all provinces , Military and the police to establish a common understanding over the procedures containing the disease. The Poultry Disease Outbreak Coordination and information Center was also established with 24 hours operations. 2. Phase II : Post Outbreak To confirmed free from the HPAI , Surveillance will be conducted both in the control zone (50 kilometer radius) and the areas other than control zone Will be conducted. The surveillance includes testing of flock that show any clinical signs fit in the case definition and virological and /or serological investigation. For control zone, sample collection will be carried out at 30 days of after restocking or repopulation. Clinical examination of restocking animals twice a week for 30 days then every 2 week for 5 months. If any positive case occurs, necessary measures in phase I will be immediately undertaken to control the disease. 3. Phase III : Surveillance and Monitoring After free from HPAI disease, national surveillance plan ,a long term plan, which composed of active and passive surveillance will be carried out to obtain epidemiological information for prevention and control of the disease. The surveillance and monitoring will cover all avian species, in farm, backyard, migratory, import and exotic. Full information will be later provided in “Emergency Response for Avian Influenza Outbreak ”by Department of Livestock, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Source : Department of Livestock Development, Thailand
The Poultry Disease Outbreak Coordination and Information Center Address : National Bureau of Agriculture Commodity and Food Standard, MOAC Tel. 66 2282 3817 66 2281 0551 66 2280 3906 66 2280 3907 Fax. 66 2281 8843 e-mail : bflu@acfs.go.th 30 January 2004 |
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