POLIO: OMANI RE-INOCULATIONS, ARAB FUND-RAISING

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000864

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARPI AND OES/IHA
DEPARTMENT PLEASE PASS TO CDC (JGERBERDING) AND NIH
(EZERHOUNIAND)
AMMAN FOR ESTH HUB (J.WHITTLESEY)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO AMED EAID PREL XF MU ESTH
SUBJECT: POLIO: OMANI RE-INOCULATIONS, ARAB FUND-RAISING

REF: SANAA 1304

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Summary
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1. (SBU) The local UNICEF representative offered details of
Omani and GCC efforts to confront the potential polio threat
emanating from the outbreak in neighboring Yemen. The
Ministry of Health is embarking on the revaccination of all
children under age five, and is participating in GCC
fund-raising efforts. Children in the region nearest the
Yemeni border have already been re-inoculated in advance of
the busy summer tourist season. The Omani government has
pledged $100,000 for UNICEF's polio campaign, while Saudi
Arabia has pledged $500,000 and possibly more. With plans to
raise over $10 million in the next two years to combat polio,
UNICEF is looking for USG support to encourage Arab
donations. End summary.

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Polio Concerns Spur Regional Action
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2. (SBU) While a Ministry of Health official was unwilling to
discuss the matter in detail, UNICEF's representative in
Muscat confirmed to us recent reports in Omani Internet chat
rooms that the Sultanate has embarked on a crash polio
re-inoculation program for children under age 5. UNICEF rep
June Kunugi (protect) stated on May 29 that the Ministry of
Health took the decision following a recent meeting of GCC
Health Ministers in Riyadh at which it was decided that all
six GCC members would take measures both to protect their own
citizens as well as to aid international polio eradication
efforts.

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Oman Raising Its Already Strong Defenses Against Polio
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3. (SBU) The Sultanate, which enjoys one of the highest
international rankings for childhood immunization (according
to the WHO),has not seen a case of poliomyelitis in over 13
years. While Kunugi estimates current rates of polio
immunization in Oman hover around 99 percent, the government
has nevertheless decided to re-inoculate all children under 5
using the oral polio vaccine. This effort is to be phased-in
regionally throughout the country, she added, with the
southern Dhofar region having completed its re-inoculations
during the fourth week of May. That region was seen as
having the most urgent need, both given its border with Yemen
(scene of the largest current outbreak),and because of the
impending arrival of tens of thousands of Arab tourists to
enjoy the cool rains and verdant hills of the summer monsoon
season.

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Ramping Up Fund-Raising Efforts
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4. (SBU) Kunugi credited USG intervention for a recent Saudi
decision to donate $500,000 to UNICEF, with potentially more
funds to follow. She believed the SAG also agreed to cover
much of Yemen's costs to battle the polio outbreak. For its
part, UNICEF is seeking to raise $3.25 million in 2005 to
prevent the spread of polio, and hopes to raise an additional
$7 million for 2006. She noted that Oman has pledged
$100,000 to UNICEF's campaign. UNICEF is encouraged that the
OIC Secretary General has promised to place the polio issue
on the agenda of the OIC's Foreign Ministerial at the end of
June. Kunugi hoped the USG would be proactive in urging
donor support among Arab states.
STEWART