UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ATHENS 000406

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR AMBASSADOR POWELL
STATE FOR EUR/OES CONNORS
ROME FOR AGRI WIGGINS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD GR ECON AVIANFLU
SUBJECT: H5N1 CONFIRMED IN GREEK BIRDS; UNCONFIRMED HUMAN
TRANSMISSION CASES.

REF: ATHENS 00386


1. (U) This is a Joint Athens-Thessaloniki Cable



2. (U) SUMMARY: On 11 February, the European Commission's
laboratory in Weybridge U.K. confirmed the presence of H5N1
Avian Influenza in Greece after the three samples sent from
migratory swans on 9 February tested positive for the virus
(reftel). In addition, a fourth suspected H5N1 case has been
reported on the island of Skyros, about 75 miles north east
of Athens. Even more ominously, two Greek citizens have been
hospitalized and isolated with flu like symptoms after coming
into direct contact with sick and/or dead birds. The Greek
Ministries of Agriculture, Interior and Rural Development are
working with the EU, provincial and local authorities to
confront the arrival of Avian Influenza in Greece. End
Summary.

Sitrep/Actions taken by the GoG
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3. (U) On 11 February, the European Commission's laboratory
in Weybridge U.K., confirmed the presence of H5N1 Avian
Influenza in Greece after the three samples sent from
migratory swans on 9 February tested positive for the virus
(reftel). In addition, a fourth suspected H5N1 case has been
reported on the island of Skyros, about 75 miles north east
of Athens. Greece also has two potential human cases of Avian
Influenza: a 29-year-old hunter who handled a dead goose last
week near the village of Kalahori (west of Thessaloniki), and
a 19-year-old man who cared for an ill swan at his home
outside of Thessaloniki. Both have been admitted to a
hospital in Thessaloniki for flu-like symptoms and are in
special isolation wings. H5N1 test results for the two men
should be completed in 48 hours.


4. (U) The Ministry of Agriculture's strategy to utilize
hunters, farmers, fisherman and citizens to be on the lookout
for dead or dying migratory birds appears to have been
effective in the early detection of Avian Influenza in
northern Greece. In accordance with European Commission
guidance, a 3 km protective radius, labeled as zone A, will
be in place around the sites where the first three birds were
found for 21 days; this area will be essentially isolated
from free movement and will be closely monitored. An
additional 10 km protective radius, labeled as zone B,
extends further around the sites for an additional nine days
and will be closely monitored. All domestic birds from
within the zone will be banned from export outside the zone
and the Ministry of Agriculture will continue to enforce its
ban on open air poultry markets and farms. At this time, no
mass culling of domestic birds has been ordered.


5. (U) The overall focus of the GoG at this time is to
aggressively pursue early detection and isolation of H5N1
carrier birds and to prevent the virus from passing to
domestic bird populations. Strict measures have been
enforced to prevent open and un-contained exposure of
domestic fowl and the GoG can levy fines of up to 3,000 euros
for a violation of the containment protocols.

Public Outreach and Public Reaction
--------------


6. (U) The efforts of the GoG to inform the public on Avian
Influenza have been received with mixed reaction among the
public. Greeks in the rural areas have reacted more vocally
and with greater concern than those in major urban centers.
One bright note has been that the media so far has been
remarkably cooperative in helping the government to keep the
public informed on sanitation and personal protection
measures leading Minister of Health Nikitas Kaklamanis to
thank the media for its (uncharacteristically) calm and
responsible tone.

Comment
--------------


7. (U) The upcoming spring season will bring a significant
increase in migratory bird traffic in South-Eastern Europe as
a whole. The recent confirmation of H5N1 in Southern Italy
is indicative of this reality. Post expects the number of
H5N1 cases in migratory birds to increase in the coming weeks
and will continue to monitor the efforts of the GoG to
isolate the domestic poultry industry from all possible
contact with migratory birds. In the meantime, Post will
continue to monitor additional developments and report as new
information becomes available. Post EAC is also reviewing
the Embassy's avian flu preparedness status. End Comment.
RIES