Cablegate: Kazakhstan Avian Influenza Update September 23

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS ALMATY 003415

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CACEN MUDGE, AND EUR/RUS NOLL
ALSO FOR EUR/PGI AYU, OES/IHA COMELLA AND SINGER, OES/STC
NP/PTR CAMERON, EB/TPP/ATP, EB/TPP/BTA AND INR/REA
USDA FAS FOR ITP FOR MACKE/THOMAS, CMP/DLP WETZEL
FAS PLEASE PASS TO APHIS AND FSIS
DEFENSE FOR USDP/CTR AWEBER
HHS FOR WSTEIGER, PBUDASHEWITZ
CDC FOR SBLOUNT, EMCCRAY
BRUSSELS PLEASE PASS TO APHIS/FENANDEZ
ANKARA FOR FAS ATTACHE HIGGISTON
GENEVA FOR HEALTH ATTACHE
TASHKENT FOR ESTH

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR TBIO ECON RS ETRD PGOV KZ POLITICAL
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN AVIAN INFLUENZA UPDATE SEPTEMBER 23

REF: (A) STATE 153802

(B) ALMATY 3230
(C) ALMATY 2842

1. Summary: This cable responds to the directive in
paragraph 5 of Reftel. No/no further reports of human or
animal cases of AI have been made since Ref B. CDC's
Central Asia Region representatives are continuing their
informal, but fruitful cooperation with Kazakhstani
authorities. End Summary.

2. Since the end of all quarantine periods, no further
evidence of a new AI outbreak has been discovered or
reported in Kazakhstan. However, GOK efforts to improve
surveillance and preparedness continue, and the GOK has
consulted informally with CDC as it continues to refine its
policy.

3. Specifically, the Ministry of Health has agreed in
principle to continued consultation with CDC on improving
its AI surveillance infrastructure. Additionally, senior
health officials have asked for CDC's opinion on such
subjects as vaccinating at-risk human populations with human
influenza vaccine and the usefulness of stockpiling anti-
viral medications such as Tamiflu. CDC has shared its
impressions from those consultations with WHO and the World
Bank.

4. Results are expected soon in an epidemiological
investigation conducted into the suspected human case in
Golubovka village (Pavlodar oblast, Ref C). The
investigation involved tests of sera collected from 146
human subjects, including poultry farm workers and people
believed to have been in contact with the then-suspected
human AI victim. The investigation included antibody tests
of the sera to exclude any theoretically possible sub-
clinical (i.e. asymptomatic) cases of AI.

5. Minimize for Dushanbe considered.

Ordway

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