Turkey Avian Influenza Update - January 12

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ANKARA 000133

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
ROME FOR US MISSION TO FAO

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: TBIO AMED EAID CASC SENV EAGR KPAO TU
SUBJECT: Turkey Avian Influenza Update - January 12

Ref: ANKARA 118 AND PREVIOUS

ANKARA 00000133 001.2 OF 002



1. Summary. There are 18 human cases confirmed by local
testing, so far, but no new deaths. There is still no
evidence of human-to-human transmission. The geographic
distribution of the confirmed cases continues to broaden
with the two new cases in southeastern Turkey. Official
sources now put at 24 the number of provinces with suspected
or confirmed AI in birds, of which 11 have been confirmed by
test results. Not all of these 11 may be H5N1, however.
350,000 birds have been culled and a Agriculture official
told us the Ministry is now planning to cull all birds
outside of commercial operations. The public information
campaign continues to ramp up. End Summary.

--------------
Cases in Humans
--------------


2. MOH official told us there are now 18 human cases that
have tested positive locally for H5N1: besides the 15
previously-reported cases there are two new cases in
Sanliurfa and Siirt (both in southeastern Turkey). The
southeastern Turkey cases represent a continued geographic
broadening: until now the confirmed human cases had been
only in far eastern Turkey and north-central Anatolia. The
eighteenth confirmed case is the third sibling of the
original family in Dogubeyazit whose earlier test (based on
nasal swabs) had come up negative. Now, testing based on
body tissue confirmed H5N1, as had been suspected. This
brings the total number of provinces with confirmed human
cases to 9. No new deaths have been confirmed. There is
still no evidence of human-to-human transmission.

--------------
Animal cases:
--------------


3. A Ministry of Agriculture official told us that of the 24
provinces with confirmed or suspected AI in birds, only 11
have confirmed test results showing AI. The official said
he believed that the cases that tested positive the birds
did not necessarily test positive for H5N1 (it could just be
H5). Press reports suggest a larger number of provinces--up
to 28--have cases in birds.


4. 350,000 birds have been culled so far. The Ministry of
Agriculture official also told us the Ministry is now

ANKARA 00000133 002.2 OF 002


planning to cull all birds (presumably only domestic fowl)
in Turkey outside of commercial operations. Separately, the
Chamber of Commerce called for also culling some of the
commercial operations' birds, as well as all other birds,
for an estimated total of 8 million birds. For the
commercial operations, the idea is for the GOT to compensate
the companies, since the companies have limited storage
capacity and can no longer afford to keep feeding the birds.


5. The Minister of Agriculture held a meeting with
southeastern officials in the city of Diyarbarkir followed
by a press conference. He said the map of confirmed cases
reflects the pattern of bird migration, stressed the
importance of education people and committed that people
would be compensated for culled birds.

--------------
Public Information Campaign
--------------


6. There are news reports that the public education campaign
has reached all 81 provinces, with leaflets, posters, local
and national radio and TV, and short films being used.
There is a special effort to target children and parents.
The authorities' efforts may often not be via mass media;
many areas affected by AI are not reached by Turkish
television, for example. We have some evidence that local
authorities are addressing their constituents in Kurdish -
for example in Dogubeyazit - and this would obviously be
helpful with those rural citizens who may not speak or
understand Turkish well. Our impression is that the
authorities are doing a good job now of getting the word
out, and post will seek opportunities in coming days to get
a better sense of how effective the authorities' efforts are
at the local level.


7. As discussed during Ambassador's consultations in
Washington, post strongly urges the dispatch as soon as
possible to Turkey and other countries in the region (e.g.,
the Caucasus) of an interagency and multi-disciplinary team
to assess the operational effectiveness of Turkish and
international work on the AI issue here, identify gaps and
lessons learned, and make recommendations on possible
bilateral assistance, technical assistance or other support
in Turkey, as well as in the Caucasus countries.

Wilson