Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06GUANGZHOU6294
2006-03-07 09:52:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Guangzhou
Cable title:
Guangdong Government Reaction to AI: Fast but How
how-toVZCZCXRO0435 RR RUEHCN RUEHHM RUEHLN RUEHPB DE RUEHGZ #6294/01 0660952 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 070952Z MAR 06 FM AMCONSUL GUANGZHOU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9823 INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHINGTON DC RUEAHLC/HOMELAND SECURITY CENTER WASHINGTON DC RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHDC RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA RUEHZN/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 GUANGZHOU 006294
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/CM
STATE PLEASE PASS NIH
USDOC FOR 4420/ITA/MAC/MCQUEEN, CELICO, DAS LEVINE
STATE PASS USTR
USPACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KFLU TBIO EAGR PGOV CH
SUBJECT: Guangdong Government Reaction to AI: Fast but How
Effective?
(U) THIS DOCUMENT IS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. PLEASE
PROTECT ACCORDINGLY. NOT FOR RELEASE OUTSIDE U.S.
GOVERNMENT CHANNELS. NOT FOR INTERNET PUBLICATION.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 GUANGZHOU 006294
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/CM
STATE PLEASE PASS NIH
USDOC FOR 4420/ITA/MAC/MCQUEEN, CELICO, DAS LEVINE
STATE PASS USTR
USPACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KFLU TBIO EAGR PGOV CH
SUBJECT: Guangdong Government Reaction to AI: Fast but How
Effective?
(U) THIS DOCUMENT IS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. PLEASE
PROTECT ACCORDINGLY. NOT FOR RELEASE OUTSIDE U.S.
GOVERNMENT CHANNELS. NOT FOR INTERNET PUBLICATION.
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The Guangdong Provincial and Guangzhou
Municipal governments' reactions to the recent March 2 human
avian influenza death were both rather swift and resolute.
Both levels of government held emergency meetings and
resolved to limit the sale of live animals in Guangzhou's
markets and restaurants. In general the measures parallel
the reaction taken by the region during the SARS crisis.
For example, airport authorities have also considered
mandating temperature checks at the major airports in
Guangdong province. However, the real question is whether
these measures are comprehensive enough and likely to be
effective. END SUMMARY.
Guangdong Provincial Government Reaction
--------------
2. (SBU) On March 6, the Guangdong Provincial Government convened
a working meeting to communicate instructions from the Party
Secretary Zhang Dejiang and the Governor Huang Huahua (both
SIPDIS
of whom are in Beijing attending the National People's
Congress). Executive Vice Governor Zhong Yangsheng chaired
the meeting in their place and offered six key tasks that
government departments should implement to minimize the AI
threat. The six tasks include:
1) Improve early detection and response;
2) Conduct comprehensive screenings at hospitals;
3) Strengthen epidemic surveillance and forecasting;
4) Implement a full vaccination policy with every breeding
farm required to maintain records of vaccinations and follow-
up antibody tests to check efficacy;
5) Strengthen entry/exit inspection and punish illegal
trading in sick and dead poultry;
6) Improve scientific investigative skills and training
for local veterinarians and health workers.
Guangzhou City Reaction: Going with the SARS Plan
-------------- --------------
3. (SBU) As of March 3, Guangzhou had activated a Level III
emergency response alarm, in accordance with the city's
latest emergency plans. A few of Guangzhou's best hospitals
have been designated to handle future AI cases dealing with
children and the most serious cases. (Note: Many of these
hospitals held similar responsibilities during the SARS
crisis. End note.) Under the current alarm system, people
with respiratory diseases must wear masks when they go to a
doctor.
4. (SBU) On March 6 the government ordered animal sample
investigations, which were taken from all 12 of the "wet
markets" the AI victim frequented. The reported results
were negative. On that same day, Guangzhou Mayor Zhang
Guangning convened a meeting and announced that the live
animal "wet markets" in the city should close on a rotating
basis for one day a week. Mayor Zhang also requested that
live animal sales be limited in restaurants. The efficacy
of such measures is questionable. The Nanfang Metropolis
Daily reported that at one closed market, some vendors are
secretly selling live poultry by putting the caged chickens
SIPDIS
in the toilet just beside the stand.
5. (SBU) Finally the Guangdong Airport Group convened an
emergency meeting on March 6 to discuss possible activation
of temperature checks at its four main airports, namely the
Baiyun Airport, Shantou Airport, Zhanjiang Airport and
Meixian Airport. Such measures were used during the SARS
crisis as well.
Comment: Guangdong Needs More than Just Talk
--------------
6. (SBU) Hong Kong officials banned live poultry imports from
Guangdong for at least 3 weeks. Zhong Nanshan, Director of
GUANGZHOU 00006294 002 OF 002
the Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Diseases has warned
the situation could be worse than it appears. Zhong argues
the latest AI case proves that live poultry might carry the
virus and other animals, for example, cats and pigs, might
carry a mutated virus as well. The local government
reaction is a good first step, but government transparency
remains a big concern.
DONG
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/CM
STATE PLEASE PASS NIH
USDOC FOR 4420/ITA/MAC/MCQUEEN, CELICO, DAS LEVINE
STATE PASS USTR
USPACOM FOR FPA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KFLU TBIO EAGR PGOV CH
SUBJECT: Guangdong Government Reaction to AI: Fast but How
Effective?
(U) THIS DOCUMENT IS SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. PLEASE
PROTECT ACCORDINGLY. NOT FOR RELEASE OUTSIDE U.S.
GOVERNMENT CHANNELS. NOT FOR INTERNET PUBLICATION.
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: The Guangdong Provincial and Guangzhou
Municipal governments' reactions to the recent March 2 human
avian influenza death were both rather swift and resolute.
Both levels of government held emergency meetings and
resolved to limit the sale of live animals in Guangzhou's
markets and restaurants. In general the measures parallel
the reaction taken by the region during the SARS crisis.
For example, airport authorities have also considered
mandating temperature checks at the major airports in
Guangdong province. However, the real question is whether
these measures are comprehensive enough and likely to be
effective. END SUMMARY.
Guangdong Provincial Government Reaction
--------------
2. (SBU) On March 6, the Guangdong Provincial Government convened
a working meeting to communicate instructions from the Party
Secretary Zhang Dejiang and the Governor Huang Huahua (both
SIPDIS
of whom are in Beijing attending the National People's
Congress). Executive Vice Governor Zhong Yangsheng chaired
the meeting in their place and offered six key tasks that
government departments should implement to minimize the AI
threat. The six tasks include:
1) Improve early detection and response;
2) Conduct comprehensive screenings at hospitals;
3) Strengthen epidemic surveillance and forecasting;
4) Implement a full vaccination policy with every breeding
farm required to maintain records of vaccinations and follow-
up antibody tests to check efficacy;
5) Strengthen entry/exit inspection and punish illegal
trading in sick and dead poultry;
6) Improve scientific investigative skills and training
for local veterinarians and health workers.
Guangzhou City Reaction: Going with the SARS Plan
-------------- --------------
3. (SBU) As of March 3, Guangzhou had activated a Level III
emergency response alarm, in accordance with the city's
latest emergency plans. A few of Guangzhou's best hospitals
have been designated to handle future AI cases dealing with
children and the most serious cases. (Note: Many of these
hospitals held similar responsibilities during the SARS
crisis. End note.) Under the current alarm system, people
with respiratory diseases must wear masks when they go to a
doctor.
4. (SBU) On March 6 the government ordered animal sample
investigations, which were taken from all 12 of the "wet
markets" the AI victim frequented. The reported results
were negative. On that same day, Guangzhou Mayor Zhang
Guangning convened a meeting and announced that the live
animal "wet markets" in the city should close on a rotating
basis for one day a week. Mayor Zhang also requested that
live animal sales be limited in restaurants. The efficacy
of such measures is questionable. The Nanfang Metropolis
Daily reported that at one closed market, some vendors are
secretly selling live poultry by putting the caged chickens
SIPDIS
in the toilet just beside the stand.
5. (SBU) Finally the Guangdong Airport Group convened an
emergency meeting on March 6 to discuss possible activation
of temperature checks at its four main airports, namely the
Baiyun Airport, Shantou Airport, Zhanjiang Airport and
Meixian Airport. Such measures were used during the SARS
crisis as well.
Comment: Guangdong Needs More than Just Talk
--------------
6. (SBU) Hong Kong officials banned live poultry imports from
Guangdong for at least 3 weeks. Zhong Nanshan, Director of
GUANGZHOU 00006294 002 OF 002
the Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Diseases has warned
the situation could be worse than it appears. Zhong argues
the latest AI case proves that live poultry might carry the
virus and other animals, for example, cats and pigs, might
carry a mutated virus as well. The local government
reaction is a good first step, but government transparency
remains a big concern.
DONG