Controlling Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, Bangladesh

Genotyping fi eld strains of African swine fever virus by p72 gene characterization. analysis of highly virulent Georgia 2007/1 isolate of African swine fever virus. To the Editor: Highly pathogen-ic avian infl uenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus is a deadly zoonotic pathogen. Since 2003, HPAI infections have been reported in millions of poultry and wild birds from 63 countries (1) and in 598 humans, among whom there have been 352 reported deaths in 15 countries (2). HPAI (H5N1) virus is endemic in Bangladesh, and the fi rst outbreak occurred in March 2007. Since then, the virus has spread to 49 of 64 districts in Bangladesh, and samples from 536 farms have tested positive for the virus. Bangladesh now ranks among countries worldwide with the highest reported number of HPAI outbreaks (1). Intermittent outbreaks in Bangladesh and clusters of disease across the border in northeastern India are dramatic reminders that the emergence of new, mutant viruses in developing countries could lead to a pandemic among humans. Six cases of nonfatal HPAI (H5N1) infection have been reported in Bangladesh (2). Live bird markets that are in poor physical condition and that lack or have poor biosecurity are probable sources of HPAI transmission to humans and for bird-to-bird transmission (3–5). In 2008, a global project of the United States Agency for International Development, Stamping Out Pandemic and Avian Infl uenza (STOP AI), was initiated in Bangladesh. The project began with biosecurity training for veterinarians and livestock science graduates on some large-scale commercial farms. The local STOP AI offi ce was established in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, in February 2009, and the organization managed the project through its completion in September 2010 (online Technical Appendix Figure 1, wwwnc.cdc. gov/EID/pdfs/12-0635-Techapp.pdf). STOP AI initially organized 7 highly successful live bird market biosecurity training programs in 5 geographic divisions of Bangladesh; later, STOP AI piloted cleaning and disinfection activities in 2 live bird markets, Moham-madpur and Kaptan Bazaar, in Dhaka by working closely with the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization. The Food and Agriculture Organization subsequently conducted cleaning and disinfection activities in 24 other markets within Dhaka and other districts in Bangladesh. We focused on understanding the interrelationships among household poultry producers, commercial farmers, suppliers, transporters, processors , and consumers that facilitate the process of producing and moving poultry, i.e., the entire poultry value chain (PVC). We describe how improved biosecurity on poultry farms and hygienic …