Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06HARARE43
2006-01-13 05:23:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Harare
Cable title:
ZIMBABWE AVIAN FLU UPDATE
how-toVZCZCXRO0669 RR RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR DE RUEHSB #0043 0130523 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 130523Z JAN 06 FM AMEMBASSY HARARE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9452 INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY RUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA 1028 RUEHAR/AMEMBASSY ACCRA 0863 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0551 RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 3423 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0861 RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 1492 RUEKDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA RUFGNOA/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK RUEHC/DEPT OF INTERIOR WASHDC RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHDC RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0510 RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1243
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
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
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