UNCONFIRMED REPORT OF MASS BIRD DEATHS IN ARMENIA

UNCLAS YEREVAN 001856

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO KSCA ECON PREL SOCI AM EARG WHO
SUBJECT: UNCONFIRMED REPORT OF MASS BIRD DEATHS IN ARMENIA

REF: A) YEREVAN 1562 B) YEREVAN 1641 C) YEREVAN 1730

Sensitive but unclassified. Please protect accordingly.


1. (SBU) In a recent news article, Ornithologist Martin
Adamyan reported that mass bird deaths had been observed in
the Lake Sevan and Arpi regions of Armenia. He speculated
that bird migration patterns made it particularly likely that
avian flu will be found in Armenia in the near future.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture Levon Ruhkhian told us last
week that GOAM inspectors have found no evidence of mass bird
deaths in Armenia (septel) and, on October 18, described the
allegations made by Adamyan as "categorically false."


2. (SBU) We have met with the GOAM a number of times on this
issue, most recently with the Minster of Health on September
27 (ref C) and with the Deputy Minister of Agriculture on
October 13 (septel). We received a copy of the GOAM National
Preparedness Plan to respond to any potential outbreak of
avian flu on October 18. The document is focused on the
public health response to a possible human outbreak and does
not sufficiently address the possibility of an outbreak among
either wild bird populations or domesticated poultry. USAID
and USDA are in contact with their respective headquarters to
learn what resources may be available to support the GOAM
preparedness effort. USAID is also considering how to
integrate avian flu prevention into its current programming.
In the coming days, we plan to meet with the Ministries of
Health and Agriculture to stress the urgency of the situation
and encourage them to share information with each other, the
World Health Organization, and other relevant parties.


3. (SBU) Comment: While we find that Adamyan's
unsubstantiated assertion lacks credibility, we believe that
it could serve as a wake-up call for the GOAM. With
confirmed H5N1 findings in the region, Armenia needs an
effective plan to confront this problem.
EVANS