#17,893
Overnight Laotian media are reporting on the shutdown of a large live bird market in Vientiane after birds tested positive for both HPAI H5N1 and LPAI H9N2. While the discovery was apparently made last week, the official document (see below) was published on Feb 2nd.
Outbreaks of avian influenza at live bird markets (LBMs) have long been a concern for public health.
First, because many different types of birds (chickens, ducks, geese, quail, etc.) - sourced from multiple farms - are often housed in close proximity (sometimes along with non-avian species), offering both transmission and reassortment possibilities.
Second, because case control studies (along with anecdotal evidence) strongly suggest that even casual exposure to poultry in live bird markets has been the primary risk factor for human HPAI infection in Asia; even more so than raising, slaughtering, and consuming poultry at home.
Despite the evidence that it would greatly reduce the transmission of the virus, closing LMBs (Live Bird Markets) has always been a very tough sell in Asia. Purchasing live market birds is deeply ingrained in their culture, as it (sometimes falsely) reassures the buyer that the bird is both fresh and healthy.
The original document from the Lao MOA and its translation follow. I'll have a bit more after the break:
(Translation)
Lao people's democratic republic, peace, independence, democracy, unity, permanent culture
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Department
0420 No. Vientiane, date: 0.2. February 2024
Dear: Mr. Head of Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Capital City
Story: The detection of H5N1 bird flu virus in Dan Chang market village, Dan Chang village, Chaitani district, Vientiane province.
According to the agreement of the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry on the organization and activities of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, No. 0175/KOP, dated January 25, 2022, based on the results of the research of the Animal Disease Research Center No. 051/KOP, dated January 25, 2024 and No. 070/KOP. Ministry of Health, dated January 31, 2024.
The Department of Livestock and Fisheries would like to report to you that: on January 23, 2014, the Animal Disease Research Center under the Department of Livestock and Fisheries received samples of chicken and duck swabs from surveillance as per the plan implemented as usual at Dan Chang Market, Dan Chang Village, Chaitani District, Vientiane Province, a total of 65 samples, including 30 chicken samples, 30 duck samples and 5 environmental samples.Through research using Real Time PCR technique, 30 samples of H5N1 strain of animal flu were found and for further verification, the Animal Disease Research Center went to collect data and found a number of sick birds and collected 11 more samples.
Through research, 5 samples of H5N1 strain and 5 H9N2 strains were found.
In order to eliminate the disease from spreading to a wide area or risking infection on the land, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries has informed you that the measures to prevent and control the epidemic are as follows:
- Let the Department of Agriculture and Forestry of the capital city guide the animal husbandry and fisheries sector to coordinate with the related Agriculture and Forestry Offices, village authorities and village veterinarians to investigate the cause of the disease, collect information and determine the epidemic area and present a report to the Department of Agriculture and Forestry and the district administration for consideration in order to declare it as an epidemic disease area and surveillance area according to law and regulation as well as to inform the neighboring villages and towns.
- To notify and coordinate with the Provincial Health Department and the District Health Department to launch a campaign to spread knowledge and understanding about the serious danger of H5N1 bird flu to the people in the epidemic areas and general surveillance areas:
- It is forbidden to move animals
- It is strictly forbidden to bring sick or dead animals for consumption,
- Disposing of dead animals by guarding or burying,
- To encourage and mobilize animal owners and guide them to kill and destroy poultry that are infected or at risk of infection in the area and within the limited or narrowest borders of the state in order to cut the cycle of disease transmission;
- To advise and guide animal owners and people to clean and remove with disinfectants or plastering with mortar
- To implement other appropriate measures according to laws, regulations, standards and according to the implementation schedule for the control of animal flu as determined by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and to control the bird flu that occurred this time to calm down as soon as possible.
Therefore, I came to you to learn and follow the appropriate measures
Head of Department
full of blessings
While clade 2.3.4.4b has become the dominant strain globally, Vientiane is only a few hundred miles from where H5N1 clade 2.3.2.1.c has recently fatally infected humans in Cambodia.
Additionally, the concurrent detection of LPAI H9N2 is a concern because it reassorts efficiently with HPAI H5 viruses (see J. Virology:Genetic Compatibility of Reassortants Between Avian H5N1 & H9N2 Influenza Viruses), which can lead to the creation of new genotypes.
