Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06BUCHAREST847
2006-05-22 16:04:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Bucharest
Cable title:  

AVIAN INFLUENZA SPREADS TO BUCHAREST, OTHER MAJOR

Tags:  KFLU TBIO PREL EAID CASC WHO RO 
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VZCZCXRO3009
OO RUEHAST
DE RUEHBM #0847/01 1421604
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 221604Z MAY 06
FM AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4479
INFO RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEHRC/USDA WASHDC
RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BUCHAREST 000847 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/NCE - WSILKWORTH AND CA/OCS/ACS-SSCHMIERER
NSC FOR DAMON WILSON

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KFLU TBIO PREL EAID CASC WHO RO
SUBJECT: AVIAN INFLUENZA SPREADS TO BUCHAREST, OTHER MAJOR
CITIES

REF: A) BUCHAREST 843; B) BUCHAREST 834; C) BUCHAREST 811;
D) BUCHAREST 523; E) BUCHAREST 310; F) BUCHAREST 79; G) 05
BUCHAREST 2302; H) 05 BUCHAREST 2239; I) 05 BUCHAREST 2205,
J) 05 BUCHAREST 2185; K) 05 BUCHAREST 2177, L) 05 BUCHAREST
2152

BUCHAREST 00000847 001.2 OF 002


SUMMARY
-------
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BUCHAREST 000847

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/NCE - WSILKWORTH AND CA/OCS/ACS-SSCHMIERER
NSC FOR DAMON WILSON

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KFLU TBIO PREL EAID CASC WHO RO
SUBJECT: AVIAN INFLUENZA SPREADS TO BUCHAREST, OTHER MAJOR
CITIES

REF: A) BUCHAREST 843; B) BUCHAREST 834; C) BUCHAREST 811;
D) BUCHAREST 523; E) BUCHAREST 310; F) BUCHAREST 79; G) 05
BUCHAREST 2302; H) 05 BUCHAREST 2239; I) 05 BUCHAREST 2205,
J) 05 BUCHAREST 2185; K) 05 BUCHAREST 2177, L) 05 BUCHAREST
2152

BUCHAREST 00000847 001.2 OF 002


SUMMARY
--------------

1. (SBU) The latest outbreak of avian influenza (AI) in
Romania continues to spread over nearly one third of the
country. A total of 34 sites in nine counties have been
confirmed as H5N1 positive, with another 24 sites under
suspicion pending confirmation. In Bucharest, dead domestic
poultry in one neighborhood within the city limits has been
confirmed H5N1 positive, with another neighborhood
suspected. The outbreak has prompted the first quarantine
measures within the city limits themselves. Other large
cities in Romania have also reported their first confirmed
cases of avian influenza. Veterinary officials continue to
enforce quarantine procedures and implement culling,
disinfection, surveillance and testing in affected areas.
President Basescu, until now less visible on this issue than
other top Romanian officials, met with Prime Minister
Tariceanu and Minister of Agriculture Flutur to discuss the
crisis.

OUTBREAKS ON THE INCREASE
--------------

2. (U) Since the detection of the initial outbreak last
week in three commercial farms located near the city of
Brasov, the disease has continued to spread rapidly. The
increase in outbreaks has been attributed to the sale and
transport of live birds originating from these commercial
farms.


3. (U) As of May 22, a total of 34 outbreaks have been
confirmed in nine counties and the city of Bucharest. The
outbreaks are primarily centered in Brasov County, which is
home to the two commercial production facilities believed to
be the source of the outbreaks.


4. (U) The breakdown on locations of confirmed H5N1 cases
is as follows: 19 in Brasov County (Hurez, Beclean,

Fagaras, Feldioara de Ucea, Soars, Dumbravita, Vistea de
Jos, Codlea, Bod, Lovnic, Holbav, Venetia de Jos, Racos,
Stupini, Maierus, Cristian, Recea as well as the two
commercial poultry farms of SC Drakom Silva and SC Pati
Prod); one in Covasna County (Sita Buzaului); four in
Vrancea County (Gagesti de Bolotesti, Anghelesti, Jorasti,
Panciu); three in Bacau County (Beleghet de Agas, Palanca,
Margiresti); one in Buzau County (Valea Lupului); two in
Sibiu County (city of Sibiu - pop. 155,000, Arpasu de Jos);
two in Valcea County (Stoilesti, Horezu); one in Neamt
County (Trifesti); one in Bucharest (Sector 2).


5. (U) In addition to the 34 confirmed outbreaks reported
above, another 24 localities are under suspicion for AI, but
are still pending confirmation. The location of these
suspected cases is also concentrated around Brasov County
and is as follows: eight in Brasov County (Barcut, Parau,
Comana de Jos, Sambata de Sus, Ucea de Jos, Vulcan,
Sanpetru, Rotbav); two in Buzau County (Patarlagele, Florica
de Mihailesti); three in Vrancea County (Unirea, Pietroasa
de Bolotesti, Focsani); two in Valcea County (Galicea,
Ocnele Mari); six in Prahova County (two locations in the
city of Ploiesti, Urleta, Boldesti-Scaieni, and Tinosu,
Poiana Campina); one in Alba County (Santimbru); one in
Mures County (Sighisoara); and one in Bucharest (Sector 4).

AI HITS THE CAPITAL
--------------

6. (U) On May 22, officials confirmed the presence of
H5N1 in Bucharest, Romania's capital and largest city. Of
the two cases under suspicion, only one has been confirmed,
in Sector 2 in the northeastern outskirts of the city. This
area surrounding Falticeni Street is a low-income
neighborhood marked by old houses with no plumbing where
backyard poultry is common. A second case identified in
Sector 4 in the southern outskirts of the city has tested
positive in rapid tests, but has yet to be confirmed. The
neighborhood surrounding Odei Street is also a low-income
one with backyard fowl, though it is surrounded by densely
populated blocks of apartments.


7. (U) In Sector 2, authorities estimate that some 400
households are raising an estimated 4,000 domestic birds.

BUCHAREST 00000847 002.2 OF 002


Veterinary officials and local authorities have implemented
quarantine around 21 streets in the immediate proximity of
the urban outbreaks. A public school in the vicinity of the
outbreak has been temporarily closed. Media reports suggest
that approximately 1,500 Bucharest residents are directly
affected by the quarantine restrictions. Authorities are
disinfecting the streets and public walkways, prohibiting
transit through the immediate areas, visiting residents in
order to inspect their households and livestock,
distributing Tamiflu, providing sanitary and health
information, and testing for additional cases. Bucharest's
chief veterinarian has reported that authorities are
considering ordering a ban on poultry raised within the city
limits, which if implemented, could lead to the destruction
of an additional 40,000 birds.

ROMANIA TAKING ACTION, LOOKING FOR ANSWERS
--------------

8. (U) With the arrival of avian influenza, either
confirmed or suspected, in the cities of Bucharest, Brasov,
Ploiesti, and Sibiu, the disruptions that accompany traffic
restrictions and quarantine measures are much more apparent
than they were when the AI epidemic was limited to a
relatively small number of isolated rural locations. Still,
Minister of Agriculture Gheorghe Flutur emphasized over the
weekend in a round of media appearances that the situation
is beginning to stabilize. Flutur reported that veterinary
officials have finished culling over 100,000 birds at the
Drakom Silva poultry farm, considered the epicenter of the
latest outbreaks. They are currently culling another
600,000 birds belonging to Pati Prod, the nearby poultry
farm in Codlea. Police in Brasov County continued their
investigation, with the manager of Pati Prod the latest to
be arrested over the weekend.


9. (U) Romanian politics have also been infected in recent
days by the bird virus. President Basescu met with
Tariceanu and Flutur over the weekend to discuss GOR efforts
to contain the outbreak and investigate the cause.
Tariceanu has called for a country-wide probe of poultry
producers to ensure that all are following bio-safety
regulations. According to press reports, Basescu is
considering assigning the Romanian intelligence services to
help identify those responsible for the outbreak. The press
has also quoted Minister Flutur as speculating that the
outbreak was caused by illegal imports of live birds.
Meanwhile, opposition head Mircea Geona (PSD - Social
Democrats) has called for Minister Flutur's dismissal.

COMMENT
--------------

10. (SBU) Rumors and accusations are filling the pages of
the Romanian press as the GOR attempts to get a handle on
the crisis. Opposition leaders are trying to capitalize,
pointing to the latest events as an example of the
coalition's ineptitude. With evidence mounting that
malfeasance lies behind the rash of avian influence, the
governing coalition is under considerable pressure to get to
the bottom of this outbreak quickly and ensure it does not
repeat. European Commission officials have expressed past
concern over Romania's ability to ensure animal health.
This latest crisis will only exacerbate these concerns. End
comment.


TAUBMAN