UPDATE ON AVIAN INFLUENZA IN GREECE; H5N1 NOT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ATHENS 002748

SIPDIS

PASS TO CELESTE CONNORS EUR/PGI

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC TBIO GR AVIANFLU
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON AVIAN INFLUENZA IN GREECE; H5N1 NOT
CONFIRMED, ALL TESTING INCONCLUSIVE

REF: ATHENS 027151


1. (SBU) Summary: Despite the GoG announcement on 17 October
of a positive test for Avian Influenza within its borders,
recent serological testing for H5N1 has proven negative at
both the Thessaloniki Virological Laboratory and EU Reference
Laboratory in Weybridge, UK. Additional testing is ongoing
at each lab; with the more definitive virological test
results for influenza, the egg embryo blood test, due next
week. The GoG confirmation of Avian Influenza in Greece thus
appears to have been premature and showed at several points
over the last week the government's lack of expertise in
public relations, post remains vigilant for any definitive
confirmation of H5N1 with respect to the proximity of
confirmed cases in Turkey and Romania. End Summary

Government Actions/Reactions
--------------


2. (SBU) Since its premature announcement on 17 October, the
GoG has taken has taken a pragmatic approach to the Avian
situation in not wanting to create undue public concern by
any of its subsequent statements or actions. While the GoG
has struggled with its ability to effectively disseminate
information to the general public, post has noted close
cooperation with Brussels and open communication with Embassy
staff that has made sifting through the media reports and
conjecture far easier. Post has learned that the GoG is
planning to utilize certain aspects of the bio-hazard plan
developed for the 2004 Olympic Games as a basis for any
potential outbreak of Avian Influenza as it relates to
quarantine, treatment and overall public safety.

Public Reaction to Government
--------------


3. (SBU) In the media, there is open relief that the sample
in question tested negative. There is also a strong feeling
that the GoG should have handled the issue in a more
responsible way. There is a general frustration directed
primarily at the Ministry of Agriculture for the lack of
information shared with the public. There were several
comments that the GoG in particular did not provide a
realistic sense of the danger nor had it communicated
effectively the facts surrounding Avian Flu. Public comment
indicates that health experts utilized by the media were
appreciated, especially in the void created by the GoG.

Effects on the Poultry Market
--------------


4. (U) Although Greece is a net poultry importer, it produces
80 percent of the poultry it consumes; 180,000 metric tons
per annum. The estimated value of the poultry market in
Greece is: Meat-450 million euros, Eggs-120 million euros.
While Greece does engage in some frozen exports, the size of
the export market and the effects of recent bans on Greek
poultry will not have a significant effect on the economy.
Rather, a decrease in poultry consumption by a misinformed or
uninformed public will cause significant stress to domestic
poultry producers and force the 16-week harvest cycle for the
birds into a 16-week harvest and freeze cycle, thus
increasing the supply of frozen chicken within the country.
A spokesman for the Greek poultry industry recently claimed
that sales of poultry were down 60-70 percent in the last
week.

Amcit concerns remains low
--------------


5. (U) The consulate has received fewer calls from Amcits
regarding Avian Influenza than anticipated. While general
Amcit public concern remains low key, Consular has posted a
link on the Embassy website to the Avian Flu Fact Sheet of
the Department as well as the appropriate CDC and WHO sites.
The Ambassador has scheduled a Town Hall meeting for
Wednesday the 26th of October where the RMO, CONS and Embassy
Staff will address concerns surrounding a potential Avian
outbreak. The same day, consular will hold a previously
scheduled warden's meeting to ensure that the facts,
concerns, and preparedness of the USG are understood by the
greater Amcit community.


Comment
--------------


6. (SBU) It is important to note that Greece contains 10-12
major wetland areas with high concentrations of migratory
birds which pose a potentially serious risk for transmission
of the H5N1 virus. That said, contacts in the Agriculture
Ministry suspect that many reports of dead birds in the
region will ultimately be attributed to the highly contagious
Newcastle Disease, a paramyxovirus prevalent in the Balkans.


7. (SBU) It is critical for the GoG to ensure that its
citizens understand the facts, probability of an outbreak,
and the risks presented by Avian Influenza. Unfortunately,
the GoG does not appear to have learned its lesson regarding
public relations from its handling of the Helios Airways
tragedy in August and has once again made its work more
difficult by alienating the public by lack of effective
communication. Post continues to prepare internal plans and
procedures for the mission and communication with Amcits
which will be reported septel.
RIES