Government Of Nepal
Ministry of Agriculture & Co-Operatives
Department Of Livestock Services

Directorate of Animal Health
Tripureshwor,Kathmandu,Nepal

Phone      (01)4261569,4261165
Fax         (01)4261569    
P.O. Box   20815
E-mail      ahd@healthnet.org.np
 

Environmental Management Plan to Mitigate Potential Adverse Impacts of the Nepal Avian Influenza Control Project

1. Animal Health Component

Project activity
Potential impact / issue
Mitigation measures
Mitigation, Monitoring and Supervision Responsibility
1.1 Sero-Surveillance and epidemiological investigation
a. Collection of samples specimens from backyard poultry, organized poultry farm and sentinel birds ( samples or specimen would include blood – serum samples as well as tracheal and cloacal swabs)
Sampling team at risk of exposure to infection
In normal case, wear generally prescribed safety items such as mask, globe and other. Sampling from the area identified as high AI risk, use SOP prescribed procedures and measures.
Train staff.
DLSO supervise and ensure that safety procedure fully followed.

Animal Health Directorate checks randomly the availability of safety gear and use of safety procedures during sampling (once every six month).

Increased load / samples at laboratories and increased amount of laboratory wastes generation lead to increased risk of pollution and infections
Appropriate laboratory waste management practices (see 1.3 also)
Concerned laboratory authority ensures that proper waste system is in-place and waste is managed properly.

Animal Health directorate checks every six month waste management practices in all laboratories.

- haphazard disposal of syringe/ needle / swap etc
Pollution and cross-contamination
Disinfect and burn these items in appropriate chamber or bury in a pit.
DLSO supervise and ensure implementation of the mitigation.

Animal Health Directorate monitors the practices randomly (once every six month).

- Chemical disinfection of certain sampling items such as globes.
Chemical pollution and human exposure to chemicals- intoxication and burn.
Use only the safe/ prescribed chemical in prescribed amount only by trained person.
- do-
-Setting up sentinel outposts and exposing sentinel birds to migratory birds’ feces etc.
Disturbance to migratory birds and their habitat
Proper selection of sentinel outpost location e.g. away from nesting place, downstream of drainage line, and at place approved by bird
Sentinel outpost team under supervision of DLSO to ensure implementation mitigations.
expert and wildlife authority. Also use GIS-based GPS-enabled information to identify appropriate site.
Monitoring jointly by Regional Directorate, wildlife office and wild-bird expert (before final selection of site and six-monthly to check any disturbance to wild-bird/ habitat)
Risk of disease transmission from sentinel bird to wild bird, or vice versa.
Use only healthy, disease free bird as sentinel bird

Sentinel bird not allowed coming in contact with domestic birds.

SOP to be applied to AI infected sentinel bird(s) in same way as infected domestic bird.

-do-
- Transportation of infected samples
Risk of virus spreading and exposure of personnel
Collection transport in closed containers that do not leak or release air emissions

Only use trained and certified personnel that have access to and use the recommended protective gear

Only use personnel that have been vaccinated.

Sampling team under supervision of DLSO implements mitigations

Regional Directorate checks/ monitors / verifies availability of containers and protective gear. Randomly checks proper use of these. District Health Office monitors health status/ record of the personnel involved. (six monthly)

b. Participatory disease intelligence - Using Animal Health Workers and farmers as communication channel for disease intelligence
Disease spreading risk while transporting live or dead bird samples to LSDC or designated place by VAHW/ farmer.
Training not only on reporting bird mortality and sickness, but also on safety procedure to be followed if they bring bird samples.
VHW supervise farmers.

DLSO checks/ monitors regularly

c. Capacity building of veterinary and wildlife professionals for surveillance and bio-safety: two-day training workshops on sero-sampling, PPE, andprevention, control and containment of HPAI.
No negative environmental impacts. This will also increase the capacity of the veterinary and wildlife professionals in managing environmental impacts and concerns.
Training also to include relevant environmental management measures recommended in this EMP.
Directorate of Livestock Services and Communication ensure inclusion of environmental safeguards in training course.

Animal Health Directorate checks the course before training is organized and visits random samples of training events.

d. Development of GIS-based animal disease surveillance and information system - Activity include establishment of GIS-based, GPS-enabled network with nodes in laboratories, animal quarantine, the DoNPWC, as well training and running the system.
No adverse environmental impacts.
Utilise GIS-based information for environmental management also, (such as for identifying proper location for sentinel outposts).
GIS-team includes environmental attributes and information.

Animal Health Directorates together with DoNPWC and wild-bird expert reviews type of information and format before finalization.

1.2 Strengthening animal quarantine
a. renovation and refurbishing of existing physical infrastructure facilities
minor impacts such as noise, dust, sanitation, etc due to limited construction activities
Follow standard construction practices as prescribed in the Public Works Directives.
Construction Supervision team ensures compliance with the Public Works Directives by the contractor.
b. Transportation/ communication facilities, and host of equipments such as chilling and fumigating equipments, sprayers, etc
No potential adverse impacts.
(see 1.4b for potential impacts from use of chemicals)
(see 1.4b for mitigation of potential impacts from use of chemicals) t.
Project Coordination Unit to plan and purchase and made available equipments in time.

Animal Health Directorate to check procurement plan and availability of communication facility and equipmen

1.3 Strengthening laboratory capacity
This includes refurbishing regional laboratories, upgrading CVL to BSL 2 and establishment of one BSL 3 laboratory.
Pollution and infection risk from the increased amount of wastes generated at the laboratories.
Follow internationally accepted waste treatment and management practices (regional laboratories must have at least two properly designed pits for disposing biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes separately; CVL upgraded to BSL 2 must have acceptable treatment system/plant, and need for treatment plant for BSL 3 should be assessed depending on the type of plant, as some have inbuilt system) Follow internationally accepted waste treatment and management practices (regional laboratories must have at least two properly designed pits for disposing biodegradable and non-biodegradable wastes separately; CVL upgraded to BSL 2 must have acceptable treatment system/plant, and need for treatment plant for BSL 3 should be assessed depending on the type of plant, as some have inbuilt system) Laboratory authority to ensure appropriate waste management facilities and practices.

 


Laboratory authority to ensure appropriate waste management facilities and practices.

Project coordination unit checks and ensures that waste management plan is included in the upgrading and refurbishing plan of the laboratories, prior to approving the plan.

Animal Health Directorate and Regional Directorate monitor waste management practices in the laboratories of their respective jurisdictions.

1.4 Strengthening veterinary services and Avian Influenza Control and Containment Plan
a. Strengthening Veterinary services and control and containment plan
- formation of Rapid Response Teams (RRTs)
-Training and equipping RRTs on HPAI Control and outbreak Containment Operation.
No adverse impacts. Training can enhance RRTs environmental management capacity during control and containment operations.
Training should also include key environmental issues and appropriate ways to manage the environmental impacts/ concerns
Directorate of Livestock Services and Communication ensure inclusion of environmental safeguards in training course.

Animal Health Directorate checks the course before training is organized and visits random samples of training events.

- stocking of chemicals
Chemical intoxication and burns, accidents.
Follow standard stocking practice. Environmental Protection Rule requires environmental study for storage, use and disposal of defined/ notified toxic substances in quantity exceeding 100 kg.
Project Coordination Unit ensures compliance with EPR and other legal requirements.

Animal Health Directorate checks code of conduct for storage of chemicals and status of stored chemicals (annually).

b. HPAI Control and Outbreak Containment Operation
Collection and disposal of infected dead birds

Culling of birds

Risk of spreading the virus and exposure of personnel.

Risk of intoxication when using chemical for culling

Stress, heat and fatigue from working in PPE

Distress to residents, farmers and owners (particularly children) observing on-site culling of their birds

Fallow procedure prescribed by the Bird Flu (Highly pathogenic Avian Influenza) Investigation, Prevention and Control Guidelines / Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for destruction and disposal of affected poultry and disinfection of HPAI infected places

Use of personnel protective equipment (PPE), and use only the safe/ prescribed chemical in prescribed amount only by trained person.

Workers must have rest breaks

Public education/ awareness and warning through communication campaign.

Provide compensation for loss of the birds and counseling for distressed people. Prohibit children observing culling.

DLSO and Action Team follow the standard procedures.

DOLS and Animal Health Directorate checks availability of PPE and other necessary items (six monthly)

DOLS and Animal Health Directorate check that technicians and workers are adequately trained and prepared for quick mobilization (annually).

DOLS and Animal health Directorate check plan and activities related to awareness and communication campaign as well as counseling.

Transportation of infective materials and dead birds l
Risk of spreading the virus and exposure of personne
Collection and transport in closed container that do not leak or release air emission

Only use trained and certified personnel that have access to and use the recommended protective gear.

Only use personnel that have been vaccinated.

DLSO and Action Team follow the standard procedures.

DOLS and Animal Health Directorate check that technicians and workers are adequately trained and prepared for quick mobilization (annually).

Regional Directorate checks/ monitors / verifies availability of containers and protective gear ( six-monthly). Randomly checks proper use of these. District Health Office monitors health status/ record of the personnel involved. (during outbreaks).

Disposal of culled birds carcasses (pit-burial, or burning: SOP recommends burial as preferred option in Nepal condition).
Risk of spreading virus, pollution of groundwater as well as surface water, and odour and air pollution

Scavenging animals digging up the burial site.

Chose proper disposal method and site considering environmental factors as prescribed in SOP/ the Bird Flu (Highly pathogenic Avian Influenza) Investigation, Prevention and Control Guidelines as well as provision the Animal Health and Livestock Services Regulation 2056
DLSO and Rapid Response Team to check proper site.

DOLS and Animal Health Directorate checks availability of PPE and other necessary items (six monthly) and appropriateness of burial pit design and closure plan.

Volume expansion and expulsion of carcasses from the pit due to gas produced by decomposition.
Chose proper disposal method and site considering environmental factors as prescribed in SOP/ the Bird Flu (Highly pathogenic Avian Influenza) Investigation, Prevention and Control Guidelines as well as provision the Animal Health and Livestock Services Regulation 2056 (2000).

Design of the burial pit should ensure protection against digging by scavenging animals.

Closure of the pit ensuring no-expulsion of carcasses from the pit (e.g. by sufficient cover material on top, gas vent-pipe)

During outbreaks, Regional Directorate checks/ monitors / verifies randomly the use of standard procedures.
Disposal of infected materials including farm waste (manure, eggs, feathers) and contaminated equipment, disposable PPE etc.
Risk of virus spreading and/ or human exposure
- during movement and transport of manure
- when handling contaminated eggs, hatchery waste and / or equipment

Risk of water pollution (surface and ground)

Bad aesthetic, public nuisance and air pollution/ odour.

Use the standard procedures prescribed in the Bird Flu (Highly pathogenic Avian Influenza) Investigation, Prevention and Control Guidelines (or in the SOP for the destruction and disposal of affected poultry and disinfection of HPAI infected places) as well as provision of the Animal Health and Livestock Services Regulation 2056 (2000).
DLSO and Rapid Response Team to check proper site.

DOLS and Animal Health Directorate checks availability of PPE and other necessary items (six monthly) and appropriateness of burial pit design and closure plan.

During outbreaks, Regional Directorate checks/ monitors / verifies randomly the use of standard procedures.

Disinfection of infected premises (or decontamination)
Risk of virus dissemination
Risk of water pollution (surface and groundwater)
Risk of intoxication and chemical burns when using chemicals.
Use the standard procedures prescribed in the Bird Flu (Highly pathogenic Avian Influenza) Investigation, Prevention and Control Guidelines (or in the SOP for the destruction and disposal of affected poultry and disinfection of HPAI infected places) as well as provision of Schedule -1 of the Animal Health and Livestock Services Regulation 2056 (2000) .
DLSO and Action Team follow prescribed standard procedure.

Animal Health Directorate checks availability/ stocking of disinfectants (six monthly)
Regional Directorate checks/ monitors / verifies disinfection practices and procedures in random samples (during outbreaks).

1.5 Communication
Advocacy, social mobilization and behavioral change communication
No adverse environmental impacts. This can play positive role in promoting improved environmental management.
Sensitize stakeholders for environmental good practices, safeguard requirements and disseminate management guidelines.
Directorate of Livestock Services and Communication ensure inclusion of environmental aspects in the communication campaign.

Animal Health Directorate checks the campaign strategy and plan before campaign starts.

1.6 Compensation fund
Compensation to birds stamped out during containment and control campaign
No adverse environmental impact.

If infected birds are transported by farmers to certain point for compensation, there is risk of spreading of virus and human exposure.

Educate / awareness and communication campaign.
Directorate of Livestock Services and Communication ensure inclusion of this aspect in the communication campaign.

Animal Health Directorate checks the campaign strategy and plan before campaign starts.