MORE AVIAN INFLUENZA CASES DISCOVERED THROUGHOUT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BUCHAREST 000913

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: MORE AVIAN INFLUENZA CASES DISCOVERED THROUGHOUT
ROMANIA

REF: A) BUCHAREST 869; B) BUCHAREST 847; C) BUCHAREST 843;

D) BUCHAREST 834; E) BUCHAREST 811

BUCHAREST 00000913 001.2 OF 002


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

1. (U) Following the detection of H5N1 in three commercial
poultry farms in the city of Codlea, Brasov County, the
number of outbreaks identified throughout the country has
grown rapidly. A total of 114 outbreaks have been confirmed
in 15 counties since May 12, including outbreaks within the
city limits of Bucharest, in the surrounding suburbs, and in
other major cities.

OUTBREAK STATUS
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2. (U) As of May 31, a total of 114 avian influenza
outbreaks in 15 counties have been confirmed since May 12 of
this year. The majority of outbreaks (32) have been in
Brasov County near the locations of the three infected
commercial farms. Outbreaks have also occurred in several
major Romanian cities, including Bucharest, Ploiesti,
Pitesti, Sibiu, and the city of Brasov. Post maintains a
precise map of AI outbreaks in Romania, updated weekly, and
can provide on request (email dmosel@usaid.gov).

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE
--------------

3. (U) The Veterinary and Sanitary Authority reports that
bird culling operations have been finalized for 112 of the
confirmed outbreaks. The total number of birds culled is
854,761, out of which 196,761 birds originated from domestic
households and 658,000 from commercial poultry farms.
During May 22-29, 2006 the Food Safety authority inspected
249 commercial farms to verify that proper bio-security
measures are enforced. Following these inspections the
Authority fined 26 farms a total of approximately 23,000
USD. Two commercial farms have been permanently closed and
production and distribution have been temporarily suspended
in 11 other commercial farms. Owners or managers of the
three commercial farms accused of spreading the virus are
being held in custody and are under investigation for
transmission of animal diseases and tax evasion.


4. (SBU) The Inter-Agency Avian Influenza Task Force, now
led by Prime Minister Tariceanu, continues to meet to
coordinate the national effort. While Agriculture Minister
Flutur was removed from head of this body following
criticism from President Basescu, sources tell us that he
continues to chair the effort in the Prime Minister's
(frequent) absence. Flutur has, however, taken a lower
public profile, leaving press conferences and releases to
the Prime Minister, the Central Government Office or the
Veterinarian Authority.

INTERNATIONAL EFFORT
--------------

5. (SBU) The GOR convened a coordination meeting on May 31
with the international donor community, including USAID. At
the meeting, the World Bank pledged to continue its
collaboration with other donors to develop a jointly
endorsed technical framework for their AI loan program. A
WHO mission is currently in Romania assessing food safety,
disease prevention and communication needs. Findings will
be shared with all donors and the GOR. The Ministry of
Public Health requested assistance with laboratory equipment
for virus detection, laboratory upgrades, prevention
assistance, vaccine production, and creation of facilities
outside of Bucharest to treat potential human cases. WHO
and the World Bank will assess the vaccine production
request within the next two weeks and determine its
appropriateness for the new World Bank loan facility. [N.B.
USAID and CDC believe the vaccine request to be an
unnecessary expenditure. The GOR continues to lobby for
donor support on this point.]


6. (SBU) In the meeting, the EC stated that the new
outbreaks are a great concern for the EU. A meeting will be
held in Brussels on June 1, 2006 to discuss the Romanian
situation, with a focus on food safety and animal health as
well as disposal of animal waste. To date, the EC has only
received one request for assistance from Romania on AI.
This request was from the Veterinary and Sanitary Authority
for reagents, disinfectants and other items related to
outbreaks starting in October 2005. This proposal has been
received favorably and is in the final processing stages.
If approved the funding level would be Euro 500,000. Other

BUCHAREST 00000913 002.2 OF 002


EC funding is available, but has not been requested. The EC
representative also stated that, should Romania accede to
the EU in 2007, the GOR must submit their National Plan for
Animal Health by June 15, 2006 to be eligible for assistance
under the veterinary fund for compensation for diseases in
animals.

KEEPING AMERICANS INFORMED
--------------

7. (U) On May 31, post's American Citizen Services chief
briefed private U.S. citizens at the American International
School of Bucharest on the current status of avian
influenza, and how to prepare for a possible AI pandemic and
other emergencies. He will repeat the briefing June 5,
together with USAID at a town hall meeting at the American
Cultural Center for interested U.S. citizens.

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

8. (SBU) Romanian authorities continue to discover cases of
AI in the poultry population, likely stemming from
malfeasance at two commercial poultry farms in Brasov. The
GOR has reacted quickly and transparently to the outbreaks,
and is seeking to ensure that such transgressions do not
recur. However, government resources are limited, and the
GOR is working to access more international assistance.
While open to funding requests, the EC has been far from
proactive in responding financially. Commission officials
and parliamentarians in Brussels have made it clear that
Romania's ability to handle animal health will play an
important role in determining whether it will be a full
member of the Union on January 1, 2007.

TAUBMAN