ZIMBABWE AVIAN FLU UPDATE

UNCLAS HARARE 000043 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS AF FOR DAS T. WOODS AF/S FOR B. NEULING OES/IHA FOR DR. DANIEL SINGER, REBECCA DALEY INR/GI RAYMOND LESTER NSC FOR DNSA ABRAMS, SENIOR AFRICA DIRECTOR C. COURVILLE USDOC FOR ROBERT TELCHIN PASS USTR FOR FLORIZELLE LISER STATE PASS USAID FOR MARJORIE COPSON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO SENV ECON ETRD EAGR EAID PREL ZI SUBJECT: ZIMBABWE AVIAN FLU UPDATE REF: A. A) HARARE 05 ¶B. B) 05 HARARE 1655 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Contrary to earlier indications (Ref B), the GOZ has not yet lifted its general ban on the export of poultry and poultry products following the discovery of type H5N2 avian influenza (AI) in Zimbabwe late last year. The GOZ is investigating the phyto-sanitary capabilities of export-focused poultry farms and certifying them individually to export. Thus far three farms have met the criteria and were permitted limited exports. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has provided funding to test commercial poultry flocks throughout the country. The GOZ is seeking further funding to test chickens raised in communal areas. Partly as a result of the export ban, chickens flooded the market this holiday season, depressing prices to below the cost of production. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) Director of Veterinary Services Dr. Stuart Hargreaves told EmbOff on January 10 that his office had decided not to lift the export ban on poultry and poultry products as a precaution against the spread of the non-lethal H5N2 AI strain discovered in Zimbabwe late last year (reftel). He said the GOZ is proceeding with individual certification of the phyto-sanitary abilities and expertise of poultry farms in the export business. As they meet the appropriate benchmarks, they will be certified to export. Hargreaves said three farms had thus far met the criteria and were free to export day-old chicks. He also stated that BirdLife Zimbabwe had identified wetland areas, including around Harare, for further testing and monitoring. According to Hargreaves, the AI strain had been carried to Africa by migratory birds. ¶3. (SBU) Zimbabwe has received US$ 33,000 from the FAO to test commercial poultry flocks throughout the country. The GOZ is seeking further funding to test chickens raised in residential and communal areas and to hire a consultant to review protocols in place and analyze data. ¶4. (SBU) Zimbabwe Poultry Association President Peter Drummond told PolOff on January 11 that the discovery of H5N2 had dashed the plans of Zimbabwe's major exporters to export a significant quantity of poultry to Namibia. The exporters had been forced to dump the meat on the local market during the holiday season, thus depressing prices below the cost of production. Drummond noted that Zimbabwe,s cost of production was USD 2.00/kg and the poultry had been sold at USD1.50/kg. Nonetheless, he maintained that the industry supported Hargreaves, approach, as it would assure the foreign market of the safety of Zimbabwean poultry. ¶5. (SBU) Comment: Hargreaves, cautionary approach is a positive step towards containing the spread of AI, including non-lethal strais. However, Zimbabwe,s economic meltdown has taen its toll on the country,s health care system an the GOZ will require international assistance i containing any AI outbreak. DELL