H5N1 Avian Influenza Confirmed in Turkey

UNCLAS ANKARA 006232 SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/RUS, OES/STC, EB/TPP/ATP, EB/TPP/BTA HHS FOR WSTEIGER/PBUDASHEWITZ ITP/MACKE/THOMAS, CMP/DLP/WETZEL FAS PASS FSIS AND APHIS VIENNA PASS APHIS BRUSSELS PASS APHIS/FERNANDEZ GENEVA PASS HEALTH ATTACHE SENSITIVE E.O. 12958:N/A TAGS: ETRD EAGR KPAO TBIO AMED TU SUBJECT: H5N1 Avian Influenza Confirmed in Turkey Ref: (A) Ankara 5119 (B) Ankara 6105 (C) Ankara 6138 Sensitive but unclassified. Not for Internet Distribution. ¶1. Summary. The Turkish Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs announced that tests from the recent outbreak confirmed the presence of the H5N1 strain of Avian Influenza in Turkey. Samples had been sent to England earlier this week for testing. The Minister of Health made a similar announcement confirming the results. Both Ministers sought to assure the public that no new cases had been found and that all necessary precautions are being taken to contain the outbreak. In addition, the government has increased the compensation fund for farmers. End summary. -------------- EU Announcement -------------- ¶2. (U) The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Mehdi Eker, confirmed the presence of the H5N1 strain of Avian Influenza in Turkey and that it was the same strain that has killed more than 60 people in Asia. The samples were sent to England for testing due to the lack of testing facilities in Turkey. Initially, Turkish officials had confirmed that the virus was H5 type, but were unable to determine the exact subtype until tests were concluded. Prior to the Minister's announcement, the European Commission's Health and Consumer Protection chief, Markos Kypriano, had made similar statements at a press conference. -------------- No New Outbreaks -------------- ¶3. (U) Since the outbreak was first announced on October 9 there have been no new incidents in Turkey. In addition, there have been no reports of human deaths due to the outbreak. The government quarantined the region around the outbreak and has taken precautionary steps to stop any inadvertent spread of the disease. Several thousand birds have been culled in the region and the government is banning the sale of all live birds in public markets. The government is testing any unusual deaths of wild or commercial flocks and would institute a similar quarantine if any other outbreaks occur. The government announced that compensation fund for farmers had been increased to about USD 75,000 from USD 60,000. -------------- Poultry Consumption Down -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Despite a very proactive campaign to both control the outbreak and provide information to the public, poultry consumption is down almost 75 percent since the outbreak. Egg consumption is also reportedly down. ¶5. (SBU) According to the head of the Turkish Poultry Producers, the EU had passed this information to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs prior to making their announcement. The Minister made his announcement after reporting the test results to the parliament. MCELDOWNEY