Takeo province, Cambodia – Since 2004, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks have been widely reported in Cambodia. Takeo Live Bird Market (LBM) is one of the largest LBMs in the country and its poultry value chain is connected countrywide. In order to combat the transboundary animal disease (TAD) threat in the region, the General Directorate of Animal Health and Production (GDAHP), Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Cambodia and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) collaborate to upgrade the biosecurity and biosafety of the Takeo LBM and its poultry value chain under the project “Evidence Based Risk Management Along the Livestock Production and Market Chain”.

 Studies by the Institut Pasteur du Cambodge (IPC) and the National Animal Health and Production Research Institute (NAHPRI) have highlighted the importance to improve the hygiene of the LBM. Circulation of viruses  in the LBM are putting  stakeholders at risk on account of a high presence  and variation in subtypes of Avian Influenza viruses that have been detected from live poultry being sold in the market.

Great commitments from the participants

Earlier this month, in the mid-term meeting of the project, the responsible authorities and stakeholders worked closely together on the requirements for constructing the new live poultry selling and slaughter facilities in the Takeo LBM. The model design aims to address HPAI  risk mitigation and improve the operational management of the LBM in terms of policy and impact on men and women. According to the work plan, the construction will begin at the end of this year.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) support this initiative to assist FAO ECTAD in protecting people and animals from disease threats.

Visit the FAO ECTAD Website to learn more about our work. 

To know more about FAO’s biosecurity guide for live poultry markets, read this: http://www.fao.org/3/a-i5029e.pdf