HONDURAS INFORMALLY EXPRESSES INTEREST IN

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 001867 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR EAID ECON KSCA PREL SOCI TBIO HO SUBJECT: HONDURAS INFORMALLY EXPRESSES INTEREST IN INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP ON AVIAN AND PANDEMIC INFLUENZA; PARTICIPATION NOT YET CONFIRMED REF: SECSTATE 164134 ¶1. On September 9, EconOff spoke to Dr. Lizardo Reyes, Director of the GOH animal and plant health administration SENASA, about the proposed International Partnership on Avian and Pandemic Influenza (IPAPI). Dr. Reyes said that Honduras fully appreciates the importance of preventing the avian influenza virus from becoming an influenza pandemic. This issue has particular importance for the GOH, he said, as Honduras is one of the countries in the hemisphere that has not yet had a reported incidence of the virus. Dr. Reyes expressed interest in learning more about the IPAPI, and said he would respond after reviewing the Core Principles and other information supplied reftel. ¶2. Post faxed the reftel talking points and IPAPI core principles to Dr. Reyes, and will report back any response regarding Honduras' participation in the IPAPI. Williard