MARCH 23 NIGERIA AVIAN FLU UPDATE -- WHO CONCERNS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 000656 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS USDA FOR FAS/OA, FAS/DLP, FAS/ICD AND FAS/ITP USDA ALSO FOR APHIS USAID REGIONAL HUB OFFICE ACCRA CHERYL FRENCH APHIS DAKAR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO KFLU EAID AMED EAGR NI AVIANFLU SUBJECT: MARCH 23 NIGERIA AVIAN FLU UPDATE -- WHO CONCERNS REF: ABUJA 596 ¶1. (SBU) Summary. The WHO's representative in Nigeria sought constructive criticism to improve UN agencies' efforts in combating AI, especially in boosting assistance to improve operational field capacity. He warned that Nigeria's anti-AI efforts "most probably" were not diagnosing human cases. A World Bank official said the GON had problems absorbing assistance and could not distribute resources quickly. A GON document released March 20 termed Nigeria's efforts against AI "prompt and effective." End summary. WHO Nigeria seeks constructive criticism -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Economic Officer attended the March 16 avian influenza (AI) donors meeting at the UN Development Program in Abuja. The World Health Organization's (WHO) representative in Nigeria sought constructive criticism to improve UN agencies' efforts in combating AI. The WHO official asked for advice especially on streamlining assistance to the Government of Nigeria (GON) and boosting assistance to improve operational field capacity. He warned anti-AI efforts "are in a routine and may lose momentum" and that Nigeria's efforts "most probably" were not diagnosing human cases of the virus. ¶3. (SBU) The WHO official urged there be at least one veterinarian per state "responsible" to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. He urged the best use of resources to avoid an AI pandemic originating in Nigeria. The upcoming national census and national elections, as well as possible resulting unrest and competing GON priorities, could harm efforts against AI. Foreign donors might want to seek from the GON a pledge of no disruption, for up to 12 months, of field operations despite political unrest. World Bank official on GON's lack of capacity -------------- ¶4. (SBU) A USAID official said the GON's response so far was too centralized and there must be a greater state-level presence in responding to AI, including building on the existing UN infrastructure -- especially veterinarians. A World Bank official said the GON had problems absorbing assistance and could not distribute resources quickly, including Nigeria's existing USD 12.2 million World Bank line of credit. The GON was failing to spend money already available, and UN agencies must help the GON come up with ways to spend the money effectively. If the GON's lack of capacity persists, the GON could subcontract projects to UN agencies -- a relatively simple process. USAID could approach the GON or could, with a written request to the World Bank, ask the bank to approach the GON on its behalf. The World Bank had a "very strong" relationship with the GON and could go to President Obasanjo if necessary to remove a blockage in the aid pipeline. ¶5. (SBU) The WHO representative said staffers at the Laboratory of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, needed to be trained in diagnosing H5N1 but were not fulfilling their existing agreement with the WHO concerning diagnosing regular influenza. A GON official, however, said March 15 that the Ibadan laboratory now could diagnose the H5 virus. Comment -------------- ¶6. (SBU) The WHO chief likely sought advice because of the recent visit to Abuja by UN AI Coordinator David Nabarro and Nabarro's subsequent conversations with USG officials and foreign donors. ¶7. (SBU) The GON's "Human-Health-Component Request," released March 20, stated, "The response of the government of Nigeria to the outbreak has been prompt and effective in containing the disease, limiting it to birds." Nigeria's sanguine interpretation, at this late date, of its anti-AI efforts is not encouraging. CAMPBELL