Significant progress was made in this reporting period. With respect to the setting-up of the project in Myanmar, a project vehicle was purchased in Australia and shipped to Myanmar in November 2003. The vehicle will allow project activities to be carried out more effectively, in particular for visits by project staff to field sites and for collection of samples from chickens in the project survey. A project office was established in the buildings of the Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department (LBVD) at Insein, Yangon. Office equipment and computers were purchased and an internet connection to the project office was set up. This was a major achievement and allows the project to have its own internet account and email address. The email address aciar [at] mail4u [dot] com [dot] mm
Progress relating to each of the project objectives is outlined below:

Objective 1 To enhance the production, quality and distribution of thermostable Newcastle disease vaccine in Myanmar Items of equipment for the viral vaccine production laboratory were purchased and transported to Myanmar. Data loggers were also obtained and taken to Myanmar. Myanmar staff were provided with basic instructions on the use of the data loggers and associated software. The data loggers will be used from March 2004 when the quarterly vaccine distribution program commences.

Objective 2 To develop appropriate extension materials to enhance sustainable usage of Newcastle disease vaccines and to improve the capacity of government staff in extension methodologies In November 2003, Dr Henning conducted a training session on collection of questionnaire data from village households. This is one facet of extension techniques. Training and development of extension methodologies will be extended prior to and during the vaccination intervention stage of the survey. The extension materials related to Newcastle disease control that are available in Myanmar have been collected by project staff and are currently being reviewed.

Objective 3 To improve the capacity of government staff to diagnose the major diseases of poultry In December 2003, a one-week workshop in diagnostic pathology was conducted by Dr Ian Wilkie and Professor Allan Frost. This course concentrated on the methodology of rational diagnosis with emphasis on gross pathology and microbiology. Practical classes utilised chickens as the demonstration animal, however, the principles taught are applicable to all species.

Objective 4 To determine the major constraints on the production of village poultry in Myanmar, and to specifically evaluate the impact of Newcastle disease and the effect of vaccination The major activity of the project is to conduct a survey to identify constraints on poultry production in villages in Myanmar and to determine the impact of vaccination against Newcastle disease. Following discussions among the Australian project personnel, including Dr Henning (epidemiologist), Dr Rutherford (agricultural economist), Dr Wilkie (pathologist), Dr Meers and Prof Spradbrow (virologists) and Dr Pym (poultry production specialist), two questionnaires were designed for this survey. One will be used for an initial interview with village householders (baseline study) and the other will be used for monthly data collection. The baseline questionnaire was tested in a pilot trial in 4 selected households. Based on results, several questions were modified, the questionnaire was shortened and other changes made to simplify the interview process.
Following consultation with Myanmar project staff, the survey strategy was finalised. The survey will be divided into two stages: a collection of background data (over a 6-month period) and an intervention study with Newcastle disease vaccination (over a 12-month period). The villages to be involved in the survey were selected and lists of households prepared. The sample size for the survey was calculated, based on a two stage sampling frame. A total number of 307 households will be sampled, from 10 villages in two separate townships (one north and one south of Yangon).
An information session was held in November 2003, attended by all of the field veterinarians, district and township veterinary officers and staff from the LBVD who will be involved in the survey. The questionnaires were explained, and a practical exercise was held to instruct on methods for collection of blood samples from chickens. The survey commenced in November 2003.

Objective 5 To genetically characterise field isolates of Newcastle disease virus from Myanmar and to confirm the efficacy of I-2 vaccine against these isolates Equipment for the molecular studies was purchased and transported to Myanmar. Discussions were held regarding the timing and format of a training workshop on molecular techniques. This will be held in February 2004 and will involve 3-5 trainees.

Significant progress was made during this reporting period. A baseline study to identify major constraints to village chicken production was completed in May 2004 and was followed in June 2004 by a 12-month intervention study. Results of the baseline study were presented at one international poultry conference and at a number of other international meetings. Necessary laboratory equipment was purchased for diagnosis of poultry diseases and Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department (LBVD) staff members were trained in molecular techniques, serological diagnosis of poultry viruses and database work. Extension pamphlets on the intervention strategies and I-2 vaccination were produced. Specific progress relating to each of the project objectives is outlined below.

Objective 1

Items of laboratory equipment were purchased for the vaccine production laboratory and diagnostic laboratory. Participants from LBVD attended an ACIAR-funded refresher course in Newcastle disease vaccine production and quality control in Laos and were trained in problem solving during vaccine production. Two refrigerators for both veterinary township offices and chilly bins for every enumerator participating in the study were purchased for vaccine storage and distribution in the project villages. Data loggers were used to monitor the exposure of vaccine virus to environmental temperatures.

Objective 2
An extension pamphlet describing the management changes and different causes of mortality in village chicken based on the data collected in the baseline study was developed and has been distributed to households where management changes are being incorporated. A folded extension pamphlet describing the use of I-2 vaccine to protect birds from Newcastle disease was developed. LBVD staff members were trained in database management and database work as the foundation for further epidemiological analysis.

Objective 3
A training course on the use of molecular techniques to identify agents causing poultry diseases was conducted in February 2004 in Myanmar. Laboratory equipment for molecular techniques, including a PCR machine (thermocycler) and electrophoresis equipment was also supplied. An ACIAR-funded training workshop on the serological diagnosis of H5N1 avian influenza was held in Laos in June 2004 with 2 participants from Myanmar.

Objective 4

A baseline study to identify major constraints to village chicken production was conducted until May 2004. A total of 307 households were sampled, from 10 villages in two separate townships (one north and one south of Yangon) in Yangon Division. The outcomes of this survey led to the treatments currently applied in the intervention study. Results of the baseline study were presented internationally and in Myanmar and were incorporated in the extension material developed. In addition a Rapid Rural Appraisal was conducted in another region (Mandalay Division) to monitor regional differences. Currently two journal papers are being drafted on this work and will be submitted to international journals.
The ongoing intervention study, which commenced in June 2004, involves several treatment groups of partial and total flock vaccination against Newcastle disease, placebo vaccination and improved chick rearing management and various combinations of those two treatments over a 12-month period. A total of 160 households in 12 villages are involved in this study.

Objective 5

Laboratory personnel were trained in the genetic characterization of virus isolates using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In addition, laboratory equipment for conducting molecular techniques was supplied. Field isolates of Newcastle disease virus have been collected for future genetic characterization. PCR products have already been generated from ten field viruses isolated in 2004.

Significant progress was made during this reporting period. A 12-month intervention study assessing different strategies to improve village chicken production was completed in July 2005. The results of the study were presented at one international poultry conference in Africa and at a number of other meetings. Necessary laboratory equipment was purchased for diagnosis of poultry diseases and Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department (LBVD) staff members were trained in vaccine production, molecular techniques and database work. Three Myanmar project staff members visited The University of Queensland in April 2005 and were further trained in molecular techniques and veterinary epidemiology. An external project review was conducted in May 2005 and an extension of the project was recommended by the reviewers. Extensions until 30 June 2006 were granted, to allow further work to be conducted including extension work, data analysis and training in epidemiology. Specific progress relating to each of the original project objectives is outlined below.

Objective 1

Items of laboratory equipment were purchased for the vaccine production laboratory and diagnostic laboratory. A vaccine production course was held by Australian project personal in June 2005 in Pyin Oo Lwin (Mandalay Division) and included participants from the central and regional vaccine production laboratories in Myanmar.

Objective 2

After data collection was completed in July 2005, data analysis commenced and will be further conducted in the extension period of the project. Extension materials based on the outcomes of the intervention study will be prepared in the extension period of the project.

Objective 3

Further training of a Myanmar scientist in molecular techniques was conducted in April 2005 at The University of Queensland. Another scientist was further trained in the field of veterinary epidemiology during this visit. This improved the capacity of the diagnostic laboratory and the epidemiology unit at LBVD to investigate and diagnose poultry diseases.

Objective 4

The intervention study, which commenced in June 2004, involved several treatment groups of partial and total flock vaccination against Newcastle disease, placebo vaccination and improved chick rearing management and various combinations of those two treatments over a 12-month period. A total of 160 households in 12 villages were involved in this study. This study was completed in July 2005. Preliminary data analysis showed that improved chick rearing led to a significant reduction in chick mortality during the first 6 weeks of age. There was a significant increase in number of birds sold after a period of 6 months in the group with management changes, resulting in a significantly larger income for these farmers and an increase in the number of households consuming home produced chicken meat. Mortality due to disease was reduced in groups using Newcastle disease vaccination, but was offset by deaths due to other causes. Further data analysis will be conducted in the extension period.

Objective 5

Further training of a visiting scientist in molecular techniques was conducted at The University of Queensland in April 2005. Arrangements were made to transport to The University of Queensland, amplified DNA products from approximately 10 PCR-positive samples. These PCR products will undergo genetic sequencing during the extension period of the project.

During the reporting period two project extensions were provided to the project (extension I: 01/05/2005-30/06/2006; extension II: 01/07/2006-30/06/2007). The focus of both extension periods was the dissemination of the study results to the village chicken-owning community and the training of veterinary staff. Extension materials on village chicken health issues were developed (booklets, flip charts, calendars, pamphlets) and distributed among the farming community. Farmer workshops were organised to train and discuss village chicken health issues. Village personnel who had significant association with poultry issues were identified to conduct these workshops in the future. These key people will also distribute the equipment for improved chick-management and inform the Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department (LBVD) about any constraints and health problems in raising chicken in the villages. A supply of chick starter feed, bamboo coops and creep feeders to the villages was established. The extension work was expanded into 31 villages in the Yangon Division and promoted in two other states and divisions (Mandalay Division and Shan State). The extension work was evaluated very positively by an external extension specialist who also recommended conducting the extension work over several more years.

Data from the field studies were analysed. Results of the studies were published internationally in journals and presented at international conferences. This was the first time that village chicken information from Myanmar was published internationally. Field isolates of Newcastle disease virus were transported the University of Queensland for sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis showed that these velogenic Myanmar isolates form a separate cluster within genotype VII viruses.

Training in Veterinary Epidemiology was provided to LBVD staff from Yangon and from the regional LBVD centres and also to field veterinarians. In addition a training workshop on project planning, extension skills and disease awareness was conducted.