COTE D'IVOIRE: PRESENCE OF AVIAN FLU ALL BUT

UNCLAS ABIDJAN 000442

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO EAGR EMED IV
SUBJECT: COTE D'IVOIRE: PRESENCE OF AVIAN FLU ALL BUT
CONFIRMED



1. Initial results from several birds found dead in Abidjan
have tested positive for H5N1 Avian Influenza (AI). Screening
for the virus was performed by two labs, the Insitut Pasteur
in Abidjan and in Paris. Ministry officials are waiting for
final confirmation from the United Nations Food and
Agricultural Organization (UNFAO) lab in Padua, Italy before
they make a public announcement. Emergency meetings of the
National Committee to Combat Avian Influenza are currently
underway. Contacts at the World Health Organization (WHO)
are expecting positive confirmation from the UNFAO lab in
Padua.


2. The infected birds were seven chickens, nine ducks and a
sparrow hawk. The ducks and chickens were domesticated, and
it is likely that the sparrow hawk became infected with the
H5N1 strain after eating one of the diseased birds. As of
today, no other outbreaks among domestic or wild bird
populations have been reported in Cote d'Ivoire. When
contacted, the Cabinet Director for the Ministry of Animal
Production and Fisheries, stated that likely they will
implement an Abidjan-wide quarantine of the animals for 21
days. This action would meet one of U.S. Department of
Agriculture - Animal and Plant Health and Inspection Services
recommended standard control measure called zoning. Zoning
recommends the quarantine of all birds located in a three
kilometer surveillance area surrounding the infected site.
The infected area is in the Marcory/Anoumoubo district of
Abidjan. However, the Ministry is thinking of going beyond
this and implementing zoning control for all of Abidjan. If
the Ministry does so, it believes that this would capture
all possible infected birds without overly burdening
commercial activities in areas outside the potential area of
infection. An announcement of an Abidjan-wide quarantine is
likely this evening. In addition, the Ministry of Animal
Production and Fish Resources has also reported that its
agents are in the process of stamping out or destroying any
diseased poultry found in the immediate area. In addition,
the Ministry has ordered the screening of birds and the
control of the movement of birds within Cote d'Ivoire.


3. The Deputy Director General for Health at the Ministry of
Health, Dr. Marcel Koffi, contacted the CDC director at post.
Dr. Koffi is a member of the National Committee to Combat
Avian Influenza. He requested material assistance from the
United States with regard to the presence of AI in Cote
d'Ivoire. USAID has sent 100 personal protection kits, one
decontamination kit and one outbreak investigation lab kit,
which are currently en route to Abidjan. The outbreak
investigation lab kit has the capacity to collect multiple
samples and is equipped to conduct rapid on-site testing.
Post will continue to monitor the developing situation
closely.
Hooks