Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06AMMAN8510
2006-11-20 08:28:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Amman
Cable title:  

Avian Flu: Jordan Takes Major Steps in Planning, Training,

Tags:  TBIO EAGR KFLU JO 
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ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 200828Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY AMMAN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5651
INFO RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHDC
RUEHRC/USDA FAS WASHDC
RUEHDOI/DEPT OF INTERIOR WASHDC
RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA
RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 2506
RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS 3425
RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 2757
RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 0262
RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 4148
RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD 4146
RUEHEG/NAVMEDRSCHU THREE CAIRO EG
UNCLAS AMMAN 008510 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO EAGR KFLU JO
SUBJECT: Avian Flu: Jordan Takes Major Steps in Planning, Training,
Outreach

Ref: A) Amman 2156 B) Amman 2358

UNCLAS AMMAN 008510

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO EAGR KFLU JO
SUBJECT: Avian Flu: Jordan Takes Major Steps in Planning, Training,
Outreach

Ref: A) Amman 2156 B) Amman 2358


1. (SBU) During the summer of 2006, the GOJ continued to invest in
avian influenza (AI) planning and preparedness measures, and is
significantly further along in its preparations now than it was last
year at this time. A major train-the-trainers program and an AI
public awareness campaign began in early November. NOTE: Post's AI
Task Force continues to meet regularly and assess Jordanian AI
readiness, as well as Post's own AI contingency preparations. End
summary.

-------------- --------------
GOJ Updates Preparedness, Continues Training Program
-------------- --------------


2. (SBU) USAID/Jordan's Health Office FSN reported at post's
October 22 AI Task Force meeting that Jordan's National Avian Flu
Preparedness Plan has been revised extensively over the past several
months; the GOJ's National Technical Committee has met four times in
the past six months. The updated version of the Preparedness Plan
will be done only in Arabic; post will obtain a copy when it is
available. The fall 2005 version of Jordan's Preparedness Plan was
translated into English, but our GOJ contacts have said it is simply
too burdensome for them to translate the increasingly long and
technical document.


3. (SBU) The Ministry of Health (MOH) has now updated definitions
for suspected, probable and confirmed cases of AI that follow the
WHO's case definition of August 29, 2006. This information was
included in a national train-the-trainers program of 150 health
workers held November 5-13. These trainers will subsequently train
other staff in all public and private hospitals in Jordan. A
national communication campaign to promote awareness and promote
behavior changes started at the beginning of November, and will run
through December 2006.


4. (SBU) The GOJ has also finalized its case investigation and case
management protocols. A national experts committee on treatment has
been appointed. The MOH has three million Tamiflu tablets and 100
kilograms of Tamiflu powder in stock. MOH estimates this can cover
5% of Jordan's population, somewhat below the 10% percent level
recommended by WHO. The MOH provided post with a list of the key
laboratory staff at the regional hospitals that are approved to run
"rapid tests" for AI. Only Amman's Al-Bashir Hospital has the
equipment and expertise needed to run real-time PCR tests.

--------------
Agriculture Ministry Adding Veterinarians
--------------


5. (SBU) FAS FSN reported to post's AI Task Force that the Ministry
of Agriculture (MOA) says it is "ready this year" if AI recurs.
USDA's APHIS trained two MOA veterinarians on PCR testing at the
U.S. Navy's NAMRU-3 lab in Cairo. APHIS also sponsored a Jordanian
to attend an AI workshop in Fort Collins in September 2006. MOA has
hired 84 new veterinarians, of whom thirty will specialize in
combating AI. MOA has also developed a contingency plan with a
policy section, a risk assessment, and standard operating
procedures.

-------------- --------------
Task Force Reviews Situation, Stresses Preparedness
-------------- --------------


6. (SBU) At the most recent meeting on Post's AI Task Force on
October 22, ECouns, who serves as Task Force POC, summarized
Jordan's good performance in March and April 2006 in responding to
H5N1 cases in poultry (ref A) and humans (ref B),and stressed the
importance of individual responsibility and preparedness through
personal hygiene and stockpiling food and water. ESTH Officer
described the work of the Avian Influenza Action Group (AIAG) and
the International Partnership for Avian and Pandemic Influenza
(IPAPI). He urged public diplomacy outreach from everyone in the AI
Task Force to the broader community, especially to carry the message
that families should stockpile twelve weeks of food and water.


7. (SBU) CDC Resident Advisor summarized the epidemiology of AI,
saying that Indonesia is currently the hotspot, and that AI is also
active in Egypt and Thailand. He noted that vaccine research is
under way, but that an effective vaccine cannot be developed until

sustained human-to-human transmission begins, making it difficult to
produce enough vaccine to immunize large numbers of people.


8. (SBU) Regional Medical Officer (RMO) added that Post now has
8,160 Tamiflu tablets on hand, and that the number of "courses of
treatment" would depend on the circumstances and medical advice
existing at the time of any outbreak. RMO emphasized the importance
of personal hygiene and social distancing in the event of AI
emerging locally, and reinforced the message that shelter-in-place
may be the best option during a pandemic.

HALE