Earthquakes and slip rate of the southern Sagaing fault: insights from an offset ancient fort wall, lower Burma (Myanmar)

Field investigations of an ancient fortress wall in southern Myanmar reveal an offset of ~6 m across the Sagaing fault, the major right-lateral fault between the Sunda and Burma plates. The fault slip rate implied by offset of this 16th-century fortress is between 11 and 18 cm yr^(–1). A palaeoseismological excavation within the fortress reveals at least two major fault ruptures since its construction. The slip rate we obtained is comparable to geodetic and geological estimates farther north, but is only 50 per cent of the spreading rate (38 mm yr^(–1)) at the Andaman Sea spreading centre. This disparity suggests that other structures may be accommodating deformation within the Burma Plate. We propose two fault-slip scenarios to explain the earthquake-rupture history of the southern Sagaing fault. Using both small offset features along the fault trace and historical records, we speculate that the southern Sagaing fault exhibits a uniform-fault-slip behaviour and that one section of the fault could generate a M7+ earthquake within the next few decade

What Are the Barriers for Uptake of Antiretroviral Therapy in HIV-Infected Tuberculosis Patients? A Mixed-Methods Study from Ayeyawady Region, Myanmar

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage among HIV-infected tuberculosis (HIV-TB) patients has been suboptimal in Myanmar and the reasons are unknown. We aimed to assess the ART uptake among HIV-TB patients in public health facilities of Ayeyawady Region from July 2017–June 2018 and explore the barriers for non-initiation of ART. We conducted an explanatory mixed-methods study with a quantitative component (cohort analysis of secondary programme data) followed by a descriptive qualitative component (thematic analysis of in-depth interviews of 22 providers and five patients). Among 12,447 TB patients, 11,057 (89%) were HIV-tested and 627 (5.7%) were HIV-positive. Of 627 HIV-TB patients, 446 (71%) received ART during TB treatment (86 started on ART prior to TB treatment and rest started after TB treatment). Among the 181 patients not started on ART, 60 (33%) died and 41 (23%) were lost-to-follow-up. Patient-related barriers included geographic and economic constraints, poor awareness, denial of HIV status, and fear of adverse drug effects. The health system barriers included limited human resource, provision of ART on ‘fixed’ days only, weaknesses in counselling, referral and feedback mechanism, and clinicians’ reluctance to start ART early due to concerns about immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome. We urge the national TB and HIV programs to take immediate actions to improve the ART uptake

Influence of Temperature and Relative Humidity on Pollen Germination and Spikelet Sterility in Improved Rice Varieties

Global warming is expected to increase the occurrence of heat induced spikelet sterility (HISS) in rice. However, there are few field-scale studies that could aid in predicting the potential risks to rice yield and developing countermeasures against yield losses. Therefore, this study was carried out to iden-tify the effect of high temperature on pollen fertility and spikelet sterility in improved rice genotypes and to assess the heat tolerance genotypes among the improved rice varieties during 2016 summer rice sea-son with twelve improved rice varieties in the field of Department of Plant Breeding, Physiology and Ecology with Randomized Complete Block design. The tested varieties were sown three different times to ensure engaged with high temperature stress at flowering time. The microclimate, pollination and spikelet sterility were examined. During observation periods the maximum air temperature was more than 35 °C, at that time the relative humidity was reduced (19-32 %) with high wind speeds (2–4 m s-1). Under such condition, there was supported microclimate for stable pollination even the temperature more than 35 °C. The average duration of high temperature above 35 °C was around 8 hours. Similarly the average nighttime temperature (7:00 pm – 7:00 am) was ranged 27-32 °C. Among tested genotypes, Thu Kha Yin, Shwe Thwe Yin, Zi Yar 9 and Shwe Ma Naw had higher seed set percentage (around 58-75 %). The results revealed that these four genotypes were promising genotypes for future breeding pro-gram related to heat toleranc

Anthropogenic pressure on large carnivores and their prey in the highly threatened forests of Tanintharyi, southern Myanmar

The Tanintharyi Region in southern Myanmar is rich in biodiversity yet is facing threats from varying degrees of anthropogenic pressure. In this research we examine how anthropogenic pressures are influencing large carnivores (tiger Panthera tigris, leopard Panthera pardus and dhole Cuon alpinus) and their major prey species (wild pig Sus scrofa, muntjac Muntiacus spp., sambar Rusa unicolor, gaur Bos gaurus and banteng Bos javanicus) in the Lenya Reserved Forest and adjacent areas of Sundaic forest. We used data from camera-trap surveys during May – March and logistic regression to analyse the relationships between the presence of large carnivores and explanatory variables such as human disturbance, landscape variability and changes in prey distribution. Tiger presence was positively associated with the occurrence of gaur and distance to villages. The occurrence of prey did not explain the detection of leopards in the study area. We suspect this was because leopards have a broad diet, including arboreal primates, and their prey was not fully recorded in our cameratrap survey. Dholes were positively associated with wild pigs and the total number of prey but not associated with forest type and landscape variables. To restore the carnivore population and conserve the biodiversity of this area, effective protection of predators and habitat management for large ungulates are crucial. Camera trap, dhole, human disturbance, hunting, leopard, Myanmar, palm oil, tigerpublishedVersio

Contact Investigation of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis Patients: A Mixed-Methods Study from Myanmar

There is no published evidence on contact investigation among multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) patients from Myanmar. We describe the cascade of contact investigation conducted in 27 townships of Myanmar from January 2018 to June 2019 and its implementation challenges. This was a mixed-methods study involving quantitative (cohort analysis of programme data) and qualitative components (thematic analysis of interviews of 8 contacts and 13 health care providers). There were 556 MDR-TB patients and 1908 contacts, of whom 1134 (59%) reached the health centres for screening (chest radiography and symptoms). Of the latter, 344 (30%) had presumptive TB and of them, 186 (54%) were investigated (sputum microscopy or Xpert MTB/RIF®). A total of 27 TB patients were diagnosed (six bacteriologically-confirmed including five with rifampicin resistance). The key reasons for not reaching township TB centres included lack of knowledge and lack of risk perception owing to wrong beliefs among contacts, financial constraints related to loss of wages and transportation charges, and inconvenient clinic hours. The reasons for not being investigated included inability to produce sputum, health care providers being unaware of or not agreeing to the investigation protocol, fixed clinic days and times, and charges for investigation. The National Tuberculosis Programme needs to note these findings and take necessary action

Detection of Zika Virus Infection in Myanmar

Zika virus (ZIKV), an emerging mosquito-borne flavivirus, causes a dengue-like infection that has recently caught global attention. The infection, which also includes some birth defects, has been documented in the Americas, Pacific Islands, and some parts of Africa and Asia. There are no published reports on local ZIKV transmission in Myanmar. In this study, a total of 462 serum samples from patients and asymptomatic persons were collected in Myanmar from 2004 to 2017. They were analyzed for ZIKV infection by immunoglobulin M capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunoglobulin G indirect ELISA, neutralization test, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and conventional PCR. Our study confirmed ZIKV infection in 4.9% of patients with clinical dengue symptoms and in 8.6% of persons who were asymptomatic. This is the first report on ZIKV infection in Myanmar and it suggests the occurrence of ZIKV infection in two geographically distinct sites in this country since at least 2006

A comprehensive assessment of ground motions from two 2016 intra-slab earthquakes in Myanmar

We map the distribution of macroseismic intensities from the MW 6.9 Kani and the MW 6.8 Chauk intra-slab earthquakes in 2016 in Myanmar using the 1998 European Macroseismic Scale (EMS-98) by interpreting data gathered from field surveys, community responses sent via social media to the Myanmar Earthquake Committee (MEC), and digital news reports. Our macroseismic maps for both events provide better spatial data coverage in Myanmar, India, and Bangladesh than community derived macroseismic maps (e.g., U.S. Geological Survey's “Did You Feel It?”). In Myanmar, this was driven by improved telecommunication that has allowed social media such as the Burmese language Facebook portal of the Myanmar Earthquake Committee (MEC) to reach into rural areas from where reports of shaking effects from earthquakes have been previously unavailable. Our analysis of both the macroseismic intensities and strong motion observations from India and Myanmar suggests the two earthquakes had different source properties. The comparison of our intensity data with instrumental strong motion records also suggests the peak ground motion-intensity relationship by Worden et al. (2012) generally performs well for both earthquakes. In addition, ground motion behaviour within the Burma and Indian plates can be related to different existing ground motion prediction equations (GMPEs) and intensity prediction equations (IPEs) for subduction zones and for stable continental regions respectively. We therefore suggest these effects will need to be considered in future regional seismic hazard models or Shake Maps for this region when evaluating the impact of the future events.NRF (Natl Research Foundation, S’pore)MOE (Min. of Education, S’pore)Published versio

Community-based MDR-TB care project improves treatment initiation in patients diagnosed with MDR-TB in Myanmar

<div><p>Background</p><p>The Union in collaboration with national TB programme (NTP) started the community-based MDR-TB care (CBMDR-TBC) project in 33 townships of upper Myanmar to improve treatment initiation and treatment adherence. Patients with MDR-TB diagnosed/registered under NTP received support through the project staff, in addition to the routine domiciliary care provided by NTP staff. Each township had a project nurse exclusively for MDR-TB and 30 USD per month (max. for 4 months) were provided to the patient as a pre-treatment support.</p><p>Objectives</p><p>To assess whether CBMDR-TBC project’s support improved treatment initiation.</p><p>Methods</p><p>In this cohort study (involving record review) of all diagnosed MDR-TB between January 2015 and June 2016 in project townships, CBMDR-TBC status was categorized as “receiving support” if date of project initiation in patient’s township was before the date of diagnosis and “not receiving support”, if otherwise. Cox proportional hazards regression (censored on 31 Dec 2016) was done to identify predictors of treatment initiation.</p><p>Results</p><p>Of 456 patients, 57% initiated treatment: 64% and 56% among patients “receiving support (n = 208)” and “not receiving support (n = 228)” respectively (CBMDR-TBC status was not known in 20 (4%) patients due to missing diagnosis dates). Among those initiated on treatment (n = 261), median (IQR) time to initiate treatment was 38 (20, 76) days: 31 (18, 50) among patients “receiving support” and 50 (26,101) among patients “not receiving support”. After adjusting other potential confounders (age, sex, region, HIV, past history of TB treatment), patients “receiving support” had 80% higher chance of initiating treatment [aHR (0.95 CI): 1.8 (1.3, 2.3)] when compared to patients “not receiving support”. In addition, age 15–54 years, previous history of TB and being HIV negative were independent predictors of treatment initiation.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>Receiving support under CBMDR-TBC project improved treatment initiation: it not only improved the proportion initiated but also reduced time to treatment initiation. We also recommend improved tracking of all diagnosed patients as early as possible.</p></div