CAIRO FORMS AVIAN INFLUENZA WORKING GROUP; US -

UNCLAS CAIRO 008124

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO ECON PREL SOCI EG WHO KSTH
SUBJECT: CAIRO FORMS AVIAN INFLUENZA WORKING GROUP; US -
GOE COLLABORATION

REF: A. STATE 153802

B. STATE 181885

C. STATE 183776

D. CAIRO 07552

E. CAIRO 08073

This message is sensitive but unclassified, please handle
accordingly.


1. (SBU) Summary: DCM convened a meeting of Mission
representatives on October 11 to establish an Avian Influenza
Working Group (AIWG) to evaluate Mission preparedness in the
event of an outbreak, and to discuss Mission's collaboration
with the GOE on avian influenza (AI) issues. NAMRU-3 has
been collaborating with the GOE on AI surveillance. USAID is
prepared to offer assistance and has requested that the GOE
present specific requests. Issues addressed include:
compensation and other assistance to the GOE in the event of
an outbreak; GOE impediments to migratory bird samples needed
for NAMRU-3 surveillance; GOE preparedness; continued
surveillance of AI; medical preparedness and internal
preparedness at post; possible USAID assistance to support
GOE efforts); and Tamiflu availability. In an October 16
meeting at the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population
(MOH) emboffs successfully requested resolution of a
migratory bird sample issue.

End summary.


2. (U) Representatives from Public Affairs, Consular, RSO,
RMO, NAMRU-3, USAID, and USDA (FAS and APHIS) attended the
meeting and compose post's AIWG.

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Mission Preparedness
--------------


3. (SBU) RMO has a plan for AI surveillance, prevention,
education and treatment at post, which includes establishing
measures for triage, identifying hospitals and isolation
rooms (as well as alternate sites for treatment in case of an
outbreak),evaluating availability of supplies, staff and
community education, immunization for non-avian flu, and
storage and security for Tamiflu stockpiles. The AIWG agreed
to recommend that the EAC consider actions to be taken in the
event of quarantine, draw-down or closure (see ref E).
Cairo's Naval Medical Research Unit (NAMRU-3) can support
post's Health Unit in rapid diagnostics and protective
measures.


4. (SBU) Consular and Public Affairs are planning to
publicize information on the Internet to the American
community, and highlight the close U.S.-GOE collaboration
through NAMRU-3 to the Egyptian public.

--------------
GOE Preparedness & US - GOE Collaboration
--------------


5. (SBU) GOE officials have repeatedly requested USG
assistance with a compensation program, laboratory and public
health training, and a supply of antigen for surveillance of
the H5N1 strain of AI. NAMRU-3 has offered to train
technicians in lab techniques and diagnostics. RMO observed
that clinical reporting of AI is difficult, and clinical care
in Egypt, as in most countries, is not suited for a major
outbreak.


6. (SBU) Representatives from ECPO, USAID and NAMRU-3 met on
October 16 with Dr. Magda A. Rakha, First Under Secretary of
Health, and Dr. Nasr El-Sayed, Under Secretary for Preventive
Affairs, at the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population
(MOH) to discuss assistance for AI and to request resolution
of a migratory bird sample issue. The MOH had recently
blocked NAMRU-3 from bringing samples from birds believed to
have died from AI into Egypt for testing. While GOE
officials did not respond during the October 16 meeting to
our request to lift the ban, NAMRU-3 (and the Egyptian press)
later reported that it was able to get GOE permission to
bring in the necessary samples. In the meeting, the MOH
representatives emphasized that the GOE has a national
preparedness plan; however, post is not convinced that GOE is
ready for an AI outbreak. USAID offered to assist the MOH
with management and logistical support, and training. USAID
asked the MOH to present a formal request for specific needs.


RICCIARDONE