Avian Influenza (HPAI)

Wild Bird Surveillance Program

The wild bird surveillance program continues in the 12 project aimags, with all aimags either having recently completed, currently undertaking, or about to undertake, the second round of lake surveys. The project is establishing a system to process the reports from the aimags to allow for good data management and conversion to useful information for a range of stakeholders on avian influenza as well as ornithology.

Two reports of bird deaths have been investigated, one from Erhel nuur in Khuvsgul and one in Ugii nuur in Arkhangai (see above under WCS). Only a small number of birds were found dead, and laboratory results showed that H5N1 was not present. A third reported die-off in birds in Uverkhangai aimag is currently being investigated by government staff. These events indicate that the government surveillance, response and diagnostic system is operating effectively, and that there is good cooperation between the government and WCS, which reported the outbreak at Erhel nuur and provided samples to the government lab for analysis.

The project continues to strengthen laboratory capacity through the supply of reagents. These will be used to analyze samples taken by the recent joint FAO-USGS- US Department of Interior mission on wild birds. The mission captured wild birds (barheaded geese in Arkhangai aimag, and swan geese in Dornod aimag), collected swab samples for AI testing and blood samples, and attached GPS satellite transmitters. More details on this project can be found at http://www.werc.usgs.gov/sattrack/mongoliaindex.html

Biosecurity on Poultry Farms

The project is currently conducting a poultry supply chain study. The study is characterizing the poultry industry in Mongolia and identifying the stakeholders in input supply, production, processing, wholesaling and retailing, as well as regulation. The study is also assisting in evaluating the current government vaccination program, and in assessing disease risk in the supply chain.

World Bank Avian and Human Influenza Project

The International Technical Adviser (ITA) continues to support Government efforts to begin implementation of this project. Current project activities are being tailored to allow a smooth transition from the USAID-funded project to the World Bank project.