AVIAN INFLUENZA PREPARATIONS IN MALDIVES

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 000568

SIPDIS

SIPDIS, SENSITIVE

STATE FOR OIE DANIEL SINGER AND REBECCA S DALEY
STATE FOR SA/INS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO KSTH ECON PREL SOCI WHO EAGR CASC MV
SUBJECT: AVIAN INFLUENZA PREPARATIONS IN MALDIVES



1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Lack of a concentrated poultry sector
keeps Maldives at low risk for highly pathogenic avian
influenza (HPAI). At the same time, it also presents
challenges for surveillance and detection in the case of
infection due to inadequate animal testing facilities,
underdeveloped quarantine and licensing standards, and the
absence of national veterinary services. End Summary.


2. (SBU) RISK STATUS AND CURRENT PREPARATIONS: The Food and
Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
classifies Maldives as a low risk country for AI due to the
lack of a formal poultry and live animals sector, although
some inhabitants keep wild birds as pets and a few chickens
for household consumption. The FAO worked with Maldivian
ministries to develop more stringent guidelines surrounding
poultry-keeping to reduce risk, such as keeping roaming
animals within demarcated areas. Maldives has protective
gear equipment for 200 officials should the need arise to
investigate birds suspected of contracting AI.


3. (U) COORDINATION: Maldives finalized its national
preparedness plan in late March. According to Dr. Sheena
Moosa, Director of Health Services for the Ministry of
Health and designated AI point of contact, two technical
committees currently exist to address the human and animal
aspects of AI, as well as an inter-sectoral committee
responsible for coordinating between relevant ministries
such as tourism, finance, media, and trade.


4. (U) GAPS AND FUTURE STEPS: Moosa identified the need for
isolation facilities to prevent the need for an infected
person to be brought to the crowded capital island of Male.
Maldives national referral hospital for AI, Indira Ghandhi
Memorial Hospital, can conduct influenza A tests for humans
with samples sent to Hong Kong for confirmation.


5. (U) Currently Maldives has no animal testing capabilities.
While it has a building that meets the biosafety level 2
(BSL2) requirements for animal testing (a medium-level of
biosecurity),it has no laboratory equipment, reagents, or
trained personnel for AI detection. The current designated
reference laboratory for animals is in the United Kingdom.


6. (U) COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS: Regarding bird migrations
after the wet season, Moosa reported coordinating with the
e
Atolls Ministry to educate and establish two official
contacts for each island, one for health and the other for
animal issues. Two-day trainings have been administered to
five of the twenty atolls, which consist of 10 to 20
inhabited islands each. An agriculture hotline has been set
up to report unusual bird deaths. The previously established
health reporting system through atoll clinics will alert the
Ministry of Health of possible human infections.


7. (U) FAO RECOMMENDATIONS: EconIntern met with Dr. G.N,
Gongal, a veterinary expert and FAO consultant invited from
Nepal to assess the Maldivian and Sri Lankan preparedness.
Gongal recommended integrating AI surveillance and detection
measures into existing institutions, stressing the need for
capacity-building in laboratory and quarantine sectors. He
also made the following recommendations:

-Inviting Maldivian officials to Sri Lankan workshops and
promoting their participation in regional and international
forums on agriculture as a cost-effective means of training.
Under WHO guidelines for safe testing of influenza A,
Maldives can utilize their BSL2 facility (noted previously)
if technicians are trained properly in the highest biosafety
level (BSL3) standards of procedure.

-Integrating both aquatic and animal quarantine into the
public laboratory currently overseeing plant quarantines,

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and strengthening import licensing standards.

-Utilizing the well-functioning health information systems
for veterinary information, since there is no national
veterinary service. Precedents are already established in
Maldives for using this system to report sick animals. (Note:
The Department of Agriculture feels it should have animal
surveillance under its jurisdiction, but given the lack of
poultry, low population, and limited resources of this
archipelago nation, utilizing existing resources in its AI
preparedness plan rather than creating new responsibilities
within multiple ministries might be a better approach. End
Note.)


8. (U) MALDIVIAN GOVERNMENT: Gongal described government
officials as cooperative, and added that AI preparation
efforts were getting financial support from the Ministry of
Finance. Moosa affirmed that the Maldivian government had
designated some funds in addition to requesting the
Department of External Resources to identify other potential
sources of funds. Moosa also mentioned the possibility of
WHO assistance.


9. (SBU) COMMENT: As a small nation of hundreds of islands
(many uninhabited),Maldives presents special problems in
surveillance of AI. However, its minimal poultry population
spread out over vast distances of ocean (which itself
provides significant protection against a pandemic)
contributes to its low risk status for AI. Adapting
existing resources and including Maldives officials in
regional workshops and training could be a cost-effective
way to assist Maldives in becoming as prepared as possible.
Assisting Maldives to develop appropriate monitoring systems
for its wildlife would also bolster regional security
efforts against AI outbreaks. End Comment.

LUNSTEAD