FAO epidemiologist Dr. Joanna Mackenzie gave the warning in the Lao capital of Vientiane that the threat of an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) remained real.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) issued an early warning to Laos on Thursday for the country to stay alert to the possibility of fresh outbreaks of avian influenza.

FAO epidemiologist Dr. Joanna Mackenzie gave the warning in the Lao capital of Vientiane that the threat of an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) remained real.

An FAO press release stressed the importance of protecting hands with plastic bags when people have to pick up sick or dead chickens or ducks, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards, as the virus can cause serious illness and death in humans.

In addition, it's important to report any unusual high death rate in poultry to the District Agriculture and Forestry Office ( DAFO) to determine if it was caused by Avian Influenza, the press release said.

Since the first outbreak of HPAI in 2004, FAO has been providing technical support to the Lao Department of Livestock and Fisheries (DLF) in upgrading its readiness to detect and control HPAI.

FAO's Immediate Assistance to Strengthen Emergency Preparedness of HPAI in Laos project has been funded by the United States Agency for International Development since 2005, and an active surveillance system has been designed and implemented in four high risk provinces in the central and southern parts of Laos.

Outbreaks in Laos shifted to the northern provinces since 2007, and surveillance has been expanded to ten high-risk provinces.

Blood samples have been collected from ducks in 175 villages, 125 live bird markets and 30 farms. Results of the samples are important to confirm if HPAI is still circulating the country.

Initial results from surveillance in the target provinces indicate the need for further blood sample collection to confirm their origin.

FAO Communications Officer Charlotte Spinazze told Xinhua Thursday that "the peak of any HPAI outbreak is usually the winter time, from December to February in Laos."

She added that "the duration of outbreaks depends on the intensity and response to contain the outbreak."

Posted in: FAO epidemiologist Dr. Joanna Mackenzie gave the warning in the Lao capital of Vientiane that the threat of an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) remained real.