Turkey Avian Influenza Update - January 6

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 000104

SIPDIS

USAID FOR TROSTLE, BLANCHET AND CARROLL
HHS FOR WSTEIGER/PBUDASHEWITZ
FAS FOR ITP/MACKE/THOMAS, CMP/DLP/WETZEL, FAS/JDEVER
FAS PASS FSIS AND APHIS
VIENNA PASS APHIS
BRUSSELS PASS APHIS/FERNANDEZ
GENEVA PASS HEALTH ATTACHE

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: TBIO AMED EAID CASC SENV EAGR KPAO TU
SUBJECT: Turkey Avian Influenza Update - January 6

Ref: ANKARA 58 AND PREVIOUS

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1. Summary. As of mid-day January 6 there are three
confirmed deaths resulting from bird flu. The third death
has not confirmed as H5N1, however the three positive cases
yesterday have now been confirmed as H5N1. European Union
and WHO teams arrived in Turkey January 5 and travelled to
the affected region on January 6. The Agriculture Ministry
continues to be proactive in culling and quarantining,
including in areas of suspected-but unconfirmed-outbreaks.
Prime Minister Erdogan has denied the swirl of accusations
of government mishandling and said the Government will use
mosque sermons and schools to get the public awareness
message out. End Summary.

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Cases in Humans
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2. The GOT Ministry of Health (MOH) has confirmed a third
death from AI in Turkey: an 11-year old who was a member of
the same family in which two members had previously died
(reftel). Contrary to press reports, the MOH official told
us the third case has so far tested negative for AI,
however. Another family's separate, fourth case of illness
who is still living, as well as the two earlier death cases,
have now been confirmed as having the N1 strain of the H5
virus. The MOH official specified that the standard
procedure is for the samples to be tested locally as well as
sent to London for further testing.


3. The MOH official said there are 12 cases under
observation, all in Van (far-eastern Turkey, near the
Iranian border). All 12 of these cases have been treated
with Tamiflu. Two of the death cases were also treated with
Tamiflu but the treatments were begun late in the
progression of the illness. The MOH official added that
there are other outpatient cases but they may be "panic
cases" unrelated to AI. The MOH official also said samples
from the 12 cases under observation have been sent to a
laboratory in Istanbul but no results as of mid-day local
time. (We received conflicting information from the
laboratory itself which said it had received samples from
only 4 cases.) Results are expected late today local time.


4. Turkish media coverage has been extensive and
sensationalistic, including exaggerated reports of
additional outbreaks. In an effort to reassure the public,
on the morning of January 6, Prime Minister Erdogan,
commenting on the situation for the first time, denied
allegations-increasingly heard in the Turkish press-of a
slow or inadequate GOT response. Erdogan called on the
public to report sick animals and said the Government would
use the Government-controlled Friday sermon in mosques, as
well as schools, to get the public awareness message out.
Nonetheless, most Turks remain furious over what they
perceive to be government misrepresentation of the initial
facts and subsequent inadequate efforts to contain and
resolve the problem.


5. Press has reported that affected villages have been

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quarantined. However, it is our understanding that only in
Dougbeyazit-the site of the deaths-have there been
restrictions on movement of people. The authorities have
requested that poultry farmers remain in Dogubeyazit.

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Poultry Outbreaks and Government Actions
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6. Over 4,000 birds have been culled in the confirmed
outbreak areas. There has been more culling as precautionary
measures in other areas, so in total over 5,000 birds have
been culled. Agriculture Minister Eker announced that
animal quarantine measures are in place in all provinces
from which they received notification of sick birds, without
waiting for test results. He said animal quarantine
measures were in effect in eight provinces with confirmed or
suspicious cases: Van, Igdir, Mus, Agri, Ardahan, Erzurum,
Sanliurfa, and Yozgat. (Note: All of these provinces--
except Yozgat--are in far eastern Turkey. The test results
are expected later on January 6 for the cases in Yozgat,
which is in central Anatolia, approximately 200 km east of
Ankara. End Note.)


7. In the areas under animal quarantine, entry and exit of
all animals is prohibited. Agriculture Ministry and traffic
police officials are inspecting vehicles at the borders of
the affected towns in order to prevent transportation of
live animals from the affected towns.

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International Cooperation
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8. Experts from the World Health Organization (WHO),the
European Union (EU) Center for Communicable Disease and a
European Commission veterinary expert (OIE/FAO) arrived in
Ankara January 5, met with GOT officials and are currently
in the affected region in eastern Turkey. We will get more
detailed information about these meetings with the GOT and
intended actions later on January 6.

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Next Steps
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9. January 6 is the last official business day for the
Government of Turkey prior to the 10-day Kurban Bayram
holiday. However, both the GOT and this mission will
continue ongoing efforts and we will provide Washington with
regular updates on developments here.

MCELDOWNEY