Avian Influenza Situation Update in Turkey

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 006605 SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/RUS, OES/STC, EB/TPP/ATP, EB/TPP/BTA HHS FOR WSTEIGER/PBUDASHEWITZ FAS FOR 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 CASC SUBJECT: Avian Influenza Situation Update in Turkey Ref: (A) Ankara 5119 (B) Ankara 6105 (C) Ankara 6138 (D) Ankara 6232 (E) Ankara 6291 (F) Ankara 6430 (G) Ankara 6514 Sensitive but unclassified. Not for Internet Distribution. ¶1. Summary. The Government of Turkey (GOT) is still cautious about lifting the quarantine restrictions in the AI affected zone until more testing is done. The dead poultry in Inegol tested negative for AI. Although there continues to be no new confirmed outbreaks of AI in Turkey, there are reports of dead fowl in two additional Turkish regions. Lab results are expected at the end of the week. End summary. -------------- - The Quarantine Restrictions May Soon Be lifted -------------- - ¶2. (U)The GOT decided to take more precautions before lifting the quarantine restrictions. The lab results showed that there was no presence of AI in the blood samples taken from poultry in the 7 kilometer observation area outside of the quarantine zone. Although the results were negative, the GOT is still cautious and is not lifting the quarantine just yet. They are considering doing more testing in that region before it removes the quarantine restrictions. GOT continues to monitor for other AI occurrences in the country. -------------- -------------- Lab test results on samples from Inegol poultry deaths -------------- -------------- ¶3. (U) Last week, the Ministry of Agriculture sent samples of the chickens that died in Inegol, Bursa, to the lab to test for Avian Influenza and for Newcastle's Disease. Results received this week show that the samples tested negative for AI. Lab tests were inconclusive for Newcastle's Disease. The lab is re-testing for Newcastle Disease and results are expected later this week. -------------- More Suspicious Bird Deaths -------------- ¶4. (U) Reports indicate that there were two new cases of bird deaths over the weekend in two different areas of Turkey. Although, the cause of death is not expected to be AI, the GOT is taking extra precautionary measures. Samples from birds in both occurrences have been sent to the government lab in Izmir and are being tested for AI. Results should be known by the end of this week. a. (U) Sources from the Ministry of Agriculture indicate that in Cankiri, a province north of Ankara, several birds died suddenly and many more are sick. Samples from both the dead and sick birds have been sent to the Izmir lab for testing. b. (U) The Anatolian Press reports that at least four birds have died in Furunlu, in the province of Izmir. The mayor of Furunlu said that chicken deaths are frequent at this time of year because of seasonal climate changes or other ailments so he does not expect AI to be the cause of death. Nevertheless, samples from a dead chicken and a cockerel were sent to the lab in Izmir to be tested for AI. MCELDOWNEY