Environmental and bio-safety issues related to Avian Influenza

Sumeet SaksenaThe East-West Center

Presented at the EWC/EWCA 50th Anniversary International Conference

July 5, 2010

Basic research question

• What is the role of water and wastes from animal husbandry in the spread of Avian Influenza?

• Initial approach: Include water and animal husbandry wastes related variables as ‘control’ variables in models where urban, habitat and agricultural transition indices are the main ‘independent’ variables

Specific hypothesis

• AI incidence is high in areas where intensive and extensive forms of livestock operations co-exist.

• Most likely this is happening in communes undergoing ‘transition’.

• Explanations will be sought by examining water and wastes issues.

• Previous studies established a link between AI and– Paddy– Wild and domestic water birds– Extent and distance to wetlands– Rainfall– Aquaculture

• However, the interaction between water and wastes is poorly understood.– E.g., does increased organic loading due to poultry

wastes attract wild birds?

Aquaculture in Vietnam

• Between 1999 and 2004, annual aquaculture growth rates were 31% for production and 19% for culture area (Nhan et al. 2007).

• In Mekong delta, 20% of farmers practicing aquaculture kept pigs ONLY for providing fish feed

Phase 2 surveys: Levels of information

• Questionnaires, focus groups at each level• Secondary data for commune and enterprise

level• High resolution remote sensing at commune

level

Commune level

Enterprise level Household level

Data examples

• Commune level– Markets, trade, transportation

infrastructure– Rainfall, slope, soil type– Wetlands, aquaculture

• Household level– Livestock (trade, waste management)

• Enterprise level– Biosecurity, trade, waste management

June 2010 Focus Groups: Key results

• Not aware of the role of aquaculture• Relationship with wet weather• Links to water pollution• Wild birds not linked to AI• Movement of trucks and vehicles a

possible factor• Mixed use regarding chicken manure