VZCZCXRO6252
RR RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH
DE RUEHGO #0838/01 3020544
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 280544Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY RANGOON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8326
RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2085
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 1601
RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA 5030
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 5085
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 8683
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 6252
RUEHVI/AMEMBASSY VIENNA 0124
RUEHCN/AMCONSUL CHENGDU 1623
RUEHCHI/AMCONSUL CHIANG MAI 1897
RUEHCI/AMCONSUL KOLKATA 0471
RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHDC
RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHINGTON DC
RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA
RUCLRFA/USDA WASHDC
RUEHRC/USDA FAS WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHDC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 000838 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EAP/MLS, G/AIAG 
PACOM FOR FPA 
USDA FOR FAS/PECAD, FAS/CNMP, FAS/AAD, APHIS; 
BANGKOK FOR USAID: JMACARTHUR, APHIS:NCARDENAS, REO:HHOWARD 
 
E.O. 12958:N/A 
TAGS: EAGR EAID AMED PGOV PREL CASC TBIO KFLU BM
SUBJECT: BURMA: INAUGURATION OF NEW AVIAN INFLUENZA LAB 
 
RANGOON 00000838  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
Summary 
------- 
 
¶1.  (SBU)  The Minister of Livestock and Fisheries on October 25 
presided over the inauguration of the GOB's new Biosecurity Level 2 
(BSL-2)Enhanced Animal Health Laboratory in Rangoon.  The new lab, 
constructed by the Ministry's Livestock Breeding and Veterinary 
Department with funds from the Food and Agricultural Organization 
(FAO), the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), Japan, 
Australia, and the United States, is the first of its kind in Burma 
and will enable LBVD officials to detect and confirm highly 
pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus more effectively and 
quickly. The new facility will protect the laboratory workers and 
environment from contamination when dealing with hazardous 
pathogens.  End Summary. 
 
BSL-2 Enhanced Lab 
------------------ 
 
¶2.  (SBU)  After almost two years, the Ministry of Livestock and 
Fisheries' Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department (LBVD) has 
completed the construction of a new BSL-2 Enhanced Animal Laboratory 
in Rangoon.  In his remarks at the October 25 inauguration ceremony, 
Minister of Livestock Brigadier General Maung Maung Thein stated 
that the lab, the first of its kind in Burma, will improve the 
ability of LBVD veterinarians and technicians to detect and confirm 
highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus.  He noted that the 
Burmese Government would have been unable to build and equip the new 
lab -- the country's main animal health diagnostic lab -- without 
the financial assistance and technical support from the FAO, OIE, 
and the governments of Japan, Australia, and the United States. 
(Note:  Since 2006, the USG has obligated a total of USD two million 
through the WHO and FAO to assist in improving the GOB's capacity to 
detect and prevent avian influenza outbreaks.  USAID is currently 
working with WHO and FAO to obligate an additional USD 1.2 million 
in FY08 funds.  End Note.) 
 
¶3.  (SBU)  During his inaugural remarks, LBVD Director General U 
Maung Maung Nyunt stated that the new BSL-2 lab meets international 
standards for work involving moderate potential safety hazards for 
personnel and the environment.  All LBVD lab technicians have 
received training in handling pathogenic agents and will take 
extreme precautions when working with contaminated items, he noted. 
Using USAID funds, LBVD installed a negative pressure chamber room 
where technicians will be able to isolate and identify the HPAI 
virus without fear of contamination  The new lab, which is equipped 
with advanced technologic equipment such as a gene sequencer, 
biological safety cabinets, and personal protective equipment, will 
help to improve the ability of LBVD to detect and confirm HPAI 
virus, he explained.  LBVD technicians will share their findings 
with the international community and the OIE, he pledged. 
 
Looking Toward the Future 
------------------------ 
 
¶4.  (SBU)  U Maung Maung Nyunt explained that although there has not 
been an AI outbreak in Burma in almost one year (the last recorded 
case in animals was in November 2007), LBVD officials remain 
vigilant, working to improve detection and surveillance 
capabilities.  The Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, working 
through LBVD, plans to establish a BSL-2 Enhanced Animal Laboratory 
in Mandalay to serve as the main diagnostic lab for Upper Burma. 
Currently, all avian influenza samples must be sent to the National 
Lab in Rangoon for testing.  An additional BSL-2 lab would enable 
LBVD to detect any AI cases in Northern Burma more quickly.  U Maung 
Maung Nyunt emphasized the need not only to strengthen regional labs 
 
RANGOON 00000838  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
throughout the country with new, improved equipment, but also to 
improve the capacity of technicians to detect the disease. 
 
¶5.  (SBU)  Improving LBVD's epidemiological skills is just one step, 
U Maung Maung Nyunt stated.  The GOB must continue to educate the 
Burmese people about the dangers of HPAI and other animal diseases. 
He noted that LBVD recently signed an MOU with the FAO and several 
NGO partners to expand awareness campaigns throughout the country. 
LBVD will continue to urge people to change their behaviors and 
report any suspected outbreaks. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶6.  (SBU)  Burma has come far on AI in the past two years, openly 
discussing, sharing information, and cooperating with us and its 
neighbors.  The country, by all accounts, has been H5N1 free for 
almost one year, and LBVD continues its surveillance of H5N1 in high 
risk areas to ensure that any outbreaks are detected and contained 
quickly.  USG technical assistance to the FAO and LBVD has been 
successful, improving LBVD's capacity in the areas of disease 
detection, response and containment.  LBVD officials are eager for 
additional U.S. technical assistance and support that they 
desperately need to prevent the outbreak or spread of the disease. 
We continue to have an excellent relationship with LBVD and remain 
impressed by LBVD's professionalism and willingness to share 
information.  Our coordination with LBVD is one bright spot in an 
often difficult relationship with the GOB. 
 
DINGER