Myanmar confirms avian flu outbreak in February

19 May 2015
Myanmar confirms avian flu outbreak in February
Photo: Mizzima

An outbreak of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been confirmed in the centre of the country, dating back to February 2015, following three previously reported outbreaks in the same region according to a report published on The Poultry Site on the 15 May.
According to Follow-up Report No.1 dated 15 May from the veterinary authority in Myanmar (Burma) to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), one outbreak of HPAI occurred at a number of farms in a livestock zone at Kyauk Sit Pon in Sagaing Division.
The outbreak, which started on 12 February, affected 88 chicken layer farms and 50 quail layer farms within the livestock zone, which had a total of 336,106 birds. Of these, 134,284 died and 201,822 were destroyed.
The outbreak was reportedly resolved on 24 March.
While the source of the outbreak is unknown or inconclusive, the report points to a lack of biosecurity within the zone and epidemiological links between the farms.