AVIAN INFLUENZA SMUGGLED INTO TAIWAN FROM CHINA

UNCLAS TAIPEI 004264

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR EAP/RSP/TC, G, OES/IHA
STATE PLEASE PASS TO AIT/W

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO AMED SENV CASC ECON TW WHO
SUBJECT: AVIAN INFLUENZA SMUGGLED INTO TAIWAN FROM CHINA


1. (SBU) AIT received news late on October 20 from the
Taiwan Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and
Quarantine under the Council of Agricultural (COA) that of
the 1500 birds being smuggled from China on a
Panamanian-flagged vessel that were seized by Taiwan Coast
Guard on October 14, all 46 birds in the sample tested for
avian flu tested positive with H5N1 avian flu virus. (COA
routinely tests smuggled and imported birds for disease.
This was the first time avian flu virus has been detected.)
The test was done by the COA Animal Health Research Institute
using the "RT-PCR" testing method. The results did not
become available until late on October 20. COA has held a
press conference to express gratitude to the Coast Guard for
making the seizure. The Coast Guard and the Taiwan CDC
together destroyed and burnt the birds on October 15, and the
area was disinfected. All workers involved in the seizure
and destruction of the birds are being monitored. COA will
continue testing all birds imported into Taiwan. During the
press conference COA urged public caution about contact with
birds.


2. (SBU) Comment: This test result refutes China's denial of
an ongoing avian flu problem. The fact that smuggling from
China to Taiwan is commonplace, and usually not intercepted
by the Coast Guard, means there is a chance the disease is
also present in Taiwan.
PAAL