Following is the report by Dr. Karma Rinzin, Programme Director, National Centre for Animal Health (NCAH), Serbithang about the the update on the HPAI situation and action taken at the national level and at the field by Incident Operation Centres/Rapid Response Teams to contain the HPAI outbreak at Rinchending and Pasakha. The issues that require the attention of the National Incident Command Centre (NICC) will be presented during the forth coming NICC meeting:

Action taken on 25 February 2010 to rapidly contain Bird Flu Outbreak at Rinchending and Pasakha, Phuentsholing

(NCAH Website can be found by clicking here)

Following actions were taken to rapidly contain Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), H5N1 outbreak at Rinchending, Phuentsholing under Chhukha Dzongkhag.  

1.     Action taken at national level

-          Provided the update to Hon’ble NSC and NICC members on the action taken so far.

-          RSPCA bus was hired and deputed to Phuentsholing for the transportation of RRTs and vehicle disinfection team.

-          The ongoing Diploma in Veterinary Laboratory technology course was temporarily suspended as the course teachers are fully involved in AI containment programme.  Eight student deputed to Phuentsholing for assisting in the movement control and disinfection and will remain in Phuentsholing till BAFRA recruits new temporary staff for disinfection of vehicle.

-          Additional fund and resources mobilized and send to the IOC members.

-          Press release was issued to the media by the DOL and BAFRA Spokes Person.

-          Engineer from BIORAD had installed the RT-PCR machine at National Centre for Animal Health today.

-          Provided technical and policy directives to the IOC members.

-          Two power sprayer supplied to the team to start spaying at Pasakha

-          Veterinary Vigilance Teams at Gelephu, samdrup-Jongkha and samtse are on full alert.

-          The disinfection of vehicle at Singhi Bridge and Kamji has started from today.

-          The disinfection at Samtse, Pugli, Gelephu and Samdrup-Jongkha

2.     Action taken by IOC members:

2.1 Disease Investigation Team:

2.1.1  Investigation of disease outbreak at Toorsa river bank

Based on the field report the investigation team visited the make shift camp at Toorsa river bank to carry out thorough disease investigation. The investigation team found that out of four birds one was found death and two are sick.  The Rapid Field test of one sick and dead bird showed negative result.  According to the investigation team the postmortem findings of the dead bird is typical of HPAI. The sample was collected which will be referred to NCAH.

2.1.2  Investigation of disease outbreak at Tsimasham.

Based on the report of alarming poultry death at PWD labour camp and community school at Tsimasham the investigation tem was deputed from NCAH on 26 Feb 2010.  Based on the signs and symptoms and history the tentative diagnosis is Newcastle Disease.  This will be further confirmed at NCAH Laboratory today.

2.2 Action taken by 3-D (Depopulation, Disposal and Decontamination) Team

The 3-D operation was carried out at BCCL colony, Pasakha Shop area, BFAL, Cement factory, Telecom, Chengbari, nad  Cococola  factory area. The operation was done between 6.00 am to 9.30 am in the morning and between 3.00pm to 10.30pm in the afternoon.

Ø  167 nos. of poultry birds, 4 ducks and 9 nos. eggs were depopulated/disposed by the 3-D team as per the SOP procedure.

Ø  About 16 nos. of coops and 5 baskets were also dismantled,  disinfected  and burnt besides 3-D operation.

Ø  After 24 hours of De-population, disinfection, decontamination and disposal of the litter materials including the de-population of left over poultry was also done in Chengbari.

Ø  For regulatory and quarantine measures, and to reduce the virus load in the affected areas foot dips are set up at outbreak sites in Rinchindeng, Pasakha Baazar, BCCL colony, Chengbari, Nayabasti, Tooribari and Alley-Tooribari with sign boards in English and Dzongkha.

Ø  Kamji area selected for disinfection of vehicles since there are no proper sites at Ramitey area due to road widening works.

2.3  Action taken by Surveillance Team

The surveillance team visited the make shift tent in Toorsa rea.  (Temporary settlement, Jatu company, temporary settlement Druk Tshogley company and BPC).  

Ø  About 15 households were visited which had total population of 124 nos of poultry out of which 86 nos died during the last few weeks with a mortality 69.35%.

Ø  Provided awareness and also contact numbers at strategic locations to report in case of outbreak and mortality.

2.4  Action taken by Medical team

Ø  Medical team monitored the health of the RRT and public of BCCL, BFAL Chengbari, Chargharey, and BOD areas

Ø  Distributed Tamiflu-antiviral drug (Oseltamivir) to RRT and exposed population including the awareness and random sample collection for testing.

2.5  Action taken on the regulatory and movement control

Ø  Encountered illegal import of three live ducks from Bangay Baazar Bhalujhora and the birds de-populated and dumped.  The defaulter was handed over to RBP as he failed to pay the penalties.

For NICC Approval

Ø  The market value of the poultry and its products in Sampheling area are as follows: Adult- Nu.300/bird, Young birds (less than 5 months)-Nu.110/bird, Day old chicks (DOC)- 40/bird, Adult Ducks –Nu.250/bird, Young Duck (less than 5 months)- Nu.100/chick, Day Old Chicks (DOC) – Nu.40 chick; and Egg-Nu.8/bird, Basket (Doko)-Nu.75/piece. Accordingly the Compensation amount for different poultry categories and its products will be provided @ 75% of the above value as follows:

1.     Adult poultry-Nu.225, Young Poultry (less than 5 months)-Nu.83/bird, Day Old Chicks- 30/bird, Adult Ducks –Nu.188/bird, Young Ducks- Nu.75/chick, Day Old Chick (DOC) – Nu.30 chick; Egg-Nu.6/piece, Basket (Doko)-Nu.50/piece (lumpsum) and Coop-Nu.200/per shed (lumpsum).

2.     12 nos of Foot Troughs including the sign boards and banners will be placed in the 3-D operation sites as per the 3-D operation locations mentioned above.

3.     In the carcass disposal sites (around 12 locations) the area will be fenced with barbed wire with sign board to avoid spread of the disease and to maintain the bio-security in the area.

4.     At least four additional power spraying machine needs to be procured immediately.