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Cablegate: Juba: Avian Flu Identified in Poultry

VZCZCXRO0777
PP RUEHROV
DE RUEHKH #2203 2551629
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 121629Z SEP 06
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4505
INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 002203

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV TBIO KFLU EAID SOCI US SU
SUBJECT: Juba: Avian Flu Identified in Poultry

Ref: a) Khartoum IIR 6 890 0469 06, b) Khartoum 01925 and previous

1. The Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) Ministry of Agriculture
(MoA) has confirmed several cases of poultry infected with Avian
Influenza (H5N1) in Juba. There are no reports of Avian Influenza
in the human population, however, and no commercial poultry
operations in the region. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) physician responsible for the HIV/AIDS program in
Juba is now working with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the
UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to help both the MoA and
the Ministry of Health (MoH) establish a task force to perform a
survey, monitor the spread of the disease, and develop an action
plan.

2. After initial slowness on the part of the GoSS, the ministries
now seem more willing to take action, but the CDC remains concerned
that the GoSS is not taking the immediate steps necessary to prevent
a wider outbreak. The UN and the Consulate General are now
coordinating their response to provide suppot to the government.

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3. Avian Influenza was confirmed in three chickens at one household
in Juba on August 4. Several other households have reported recent
or ongoing chicken and duck deaths. The MoA failed to report these
cases of Avian Influenza to the MoH until last week. The CDC was
notified on September 8 and had immediately begun contingency
planning to support the Government's response. There is no current
understanding of the extent to which the disease has spread, and
while no human cases have yet been identified, and are unlikely,
such cannot be ruled out due to the lack of an effective
surveillance system.

4. Note: USAID will report septel regarding other activities
involving outreach efforts and technical assistance provided to the
GoSS for its response to Avian Influenza, which complement those
furnished at the GNU level. End Note.

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