UPDATE 1: AVIAN INFLUENZA IN DJIBOUTI

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DJIBOUTI 000578 SIPDIS SIPDIS LONDON, PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AMED CASC TBIO KFLU EAID EAGR DJ SUBJECT: UPDATE 1: AVIAN INFLUENZA IN DJIBOUTI REF: DJIBOUTI 564 DJIBOUTI 00000578 001.4 OF 002 ¶1. SUMMARY. Three poultry cases, and one human case of H5N1 Avian Influenza were confirmed in Djibouti on May 11. The Government of Djibouti is actively engaging the international community on measures to address this issue, but many unknowns still remain. -------------- WHAT WE KNOW -------------- ¶2. An eight-year old girl in Djibouti has contracted the H5N1 strain of Avian Influenza, confirmed by NAMRU-3 in Cairo on May 11. The Government of Djibouti announced the case on national TV and Radio stations. She and her family of 13 are living in Damerjog, a small village approximately 15 km south of Djibouti city, and is under medical surveillance. Two of her siblings are currently exhibiting flu-like symptoms, one of whom is undergoing treatment with tamiflu. These sibling have been tested, but results are not yet available. The family reportedly owns "four or five" chickens. One of the chickens appeared to be sick when the family was visited by health officials on May 12. A sample was taken from this chicken, but results are not yet determined. It is unknown if the family had other birds who recently died. ¶3. H5N1 has been confirmed in at least two chickens and one turkey in Djibouti city. These chickens were kept on a compound owned by the First Lady of Djibouti. The whole flock, consisting of at least a dozen birds, was culled. Testing among other chickens continues. Humans who worked on the compound have been tested, and so far all results are negative. There are no large flock or poultry farms in Djibouti, but Djiboutian families often own two or three chickens. The Government of Djibouti has banned all imports of live poultry, and has announced that culling will take place. However, the government has not outlined a compensation plan for affected citizens. -------------- WHAT IS BEING DONE -------------- ¶4. The Embassy's Emergency Action Committee convened on May ¶11. ConOff held a warden meeting on May 14. Embassy-wide staff briefings will be held on May 15. The Ambassador will host a town hall meeting for all U.S. Citizens in Djibouti on May 16. USAID is providing technical support and advising the government, as well as monitoring progress. USAID is also in �0A;close collaboration with partners and donors such as WHO and the World Bank on how to best coordinate a combined response. The Embassy continues to receive local updates from Djiboutian Government officials who hold daily briefings at 1800 hours. ¶5. Djibouti's Minister of Health called a meeting of the donor community on May 14 to announce that the Government of Djibouti had developed a budget, and appealed to the community for support. The financial request for the immediate emergency totaled $4 Million, and included such things as tamiflu stock, lab testing materials, logistical support for transportation, safety equipment, decontamination materials, and money for paying out compensation to families who lose chickens to culling. The surveillance system is working on a minimal level, which has assisted the government to get to this point, but technical support for surveillance and sampling is still needed. Djibouti is coordinating with neighboring countries, and WHO confirmed that it too is working with neighboring WHO offices. The Health Minister assured people that although the situation was an emergency, it was not catastrophic, and people should proceed with their normal routines. The Minister of Health thanked the donor community, in particular USAID and the U.S. Military, who have aided them in this effort. -------------- LIMITATIONS -------------- DJIBOUTI 00000578 002.3 OF 002 ¶6. Although unofficial tests for H5N1 can be done locally at the French Military Hospital, the closest level-3 certified lab is located at NAMRU-3 in Cairo. Human test samples can only be sent through the WHO to Cairo on Tuesday evenings, causing a delay in obtaining results in a timely manner. There is currently no official method for sending animal samples since FAO does not have a presence in Djibouti. -------------- WHAT WE DON'T KNOW -------------- ¶7. Since all live poultry imports into Djibouti have been banned, it is not yet clear how H5N1 developed in Djibouti. It is also unclear how the two cases of H5N1 in Djibouti are related, if at all. The Government of Djibouti estimates the poultry population at 3000 birds, but this number cannot be substantiated. ¶8. COMMENT. The Government of Djibouti is a willing partner in addressing this issue, but heavily relies on outside donors to assist in implementing action and prevention. The early recognition, diagnosis, and reporting of H5N1 in Djibouti has been possible with the help of foreign assistance, including USAID and CJTF-HOA. Overall, the Government of Djibouti continues to coordinate its efforts with the international community, but there are reports that the Minister of Agriculture failed to show up for sampling and surveillance runs at the index sites in spite of the government's pronouncements. END COMMENT. RAGSDALE