ANKARA EAC MEETING 10/11/2005

UNCLAS ANKARA 006185

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/EUR, DS/DSS/ITA, EUR/EX, EUR/SE, M/MED

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC AMGT AMED CASC PTER TU
SUBJECT: ANKARA EAC MEETING 10/11/2005

REF: A. ANKARA 6140

B. ANKARA 6138

C. ANKARA 6105

D. STATE 183776


1. (U) Charge chaired the Emergency Action Committee (EAC)
on 10/11/05 to address the recent outbreak of Avian Influenza
(AI) in a town in northwestern Turkey (refs B and C). In
attendance were representatives from each of the following
sections/agencies: RSO, MGT, RMO, IMO, CON, DAO, POL, PAS,
MSG, ECON, INC, ESO, DEA, FBI, PMA, RAO, TSR, CLO, ODC, TLO,
AFOSI, DET 1.


2. (SBU) FAS Counselor described the current outbreak of AI
in the Marmara region of Turkey, and the effective measures
taken by both the Turkish government and the commercial
industry to limit the spread of the virus in the bird
population. Results of tests to determine if the outbreak
was caused by the H5N1 virus will not be known before the end
of the week.


3. (SBU) EAC determined that an informational sheet on
health precautions drafted with the assistance of the RMO
should be distributed to the Embassy community as well as the
Amcit community. RMO and MGT will also assess post's
preparedness for a potential outbreak of H5N1 among humans in
Turkey, including appropriate stocks of Tamiflu.


4. (SBU) RSO also reviewed security preparations for the
Marine Corps Ball, which have been reported in reftel A.

MCELDOWNEY