INDONESIA - JULY 27 AVIAN INFLUENZA (AI) UPDATE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 JAKARTA 009515 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR EAP/MLS, EAP/IET, A/MED AND S/ES-O DEPT FOR G/AIAG/JLANGE AND RFENDRICK DEPT FOR OES/FO, OES/EID, OES/PCI, OES/STC AND OES/IHA DEPT PASS TO USDA/FAS/DLP/HWETZEL AND FAS/ICD/LAIDIG DEPT ALSO PASS TO USDA/FAS/FAA/DYOUNG AND USDA/APHIS DEPT ALSO PASS TO USAID/ANE/CLEMENTS AND GH/CARROLL DEPT ALSO PASS TO HHS/WSTEIGER/ABHAT/MSTLOUIS AND HHS/NIH PARIS FOR FAS/AG MINISTER COUNSELOR CANBERRA FOR APHIS/DHANNAPEL ROME FOR FAO NSC FOR JMELINE BANGKOK FOR RMO, CDC, USAID/RDM/A USPACOM ALSO PASS TO J07 E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO AMED CASC EAGR AMGT PGOV ID KFLU SUBJECT: INDONESIA - JULY 27 AVIAN INFLUENZA (AI) UPDATE REF: A) Jakarta 09334 B) Jakarta 08955 and previous JAKARTA 00009515 001.2 OF 003 1.(SBU) Summary. Minister of Health Dr. Siti Fadilah Supari told the Ambassador on July 24 that the Government of Indonesia (GOI) is pleased with USG collaboration on various health challenges such as avian influenza (AI) and polio. She thanked USAID and the Naval Medical Research Unit (NAMRU- 2) for their support. A team from the Singaporean Ministry of Health met with GOI officials on July 24 and discussed the trilateral Tangerang pilot program. The Indonesian Ministry of Health is finalizing its application for funds through the CDC RFA CI06-607 to support its avian influenza program. The Jakarta media has reported that Indonesia has overtaken Vietnam and now leads the world in the number of AI human deaths. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) confirmed H5N1 infection in a 44-year-old male from East Jakarta who died in Jakarta on July 12. As of July 26, data from the NAMRU-2 and the Ministry of Health (MOH) show 56 cases of avian influenza with 44 confirmed deaths. End Summary. Minister of Health Praises USG Collaboration -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Minister of Health Dr. Siti Fadilah Supari told the Ambassador on July 24 that the GOI is pleased with USG collaboration on various health challenges such as avian influenza (AI) and polio. She thanked USAID and NAMRU-2 for their support. The Ambassador conveyed his appreciation for the Ministry's cooperation and transparency shown in combating avian influenza in the human population but noted his continued concern about the Ministry of Agriculture's lack of effectiveness in controlling the disease in the animal population. He emphasized that good cooperation and sharing of samples will be crucial to managing the AI challenge. The Ambassador explained that AI in Indonesia is being closely followed in Washington. He noted that USAID is finalizing the $11.5 million in assistance promised by Secretary Rice in March 2006 and that the USG will continue SIPDIS to provide other technical assistance from the Centers for Disease Control, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (Note: Previously reported in Ref A.) Singaporean Ministry of Health Team Discusses Tangerang -------------- -------------- ¶3. (SBU) A team from the Singaporean Ministry of Health met with GOI officials on July 24 and discussed the trilateral Tangerang pilot program, according to a Singaporean Embassy source. The team had separate meetings with Dr. Bayu Krisnamutki, Dr. I. Nyoman Kandun, and unnamed officials at DEPLU (Ministry of Foreign Affairs). The source noted that a letter of intent (LOI) between the Singaporean Government and GOI has not been finalized, but that the two governments continue to develop a draft. During the meeting with the Singaporeans, Bayu expressed interest in pursuing a "soft launch" for Tangerang, independent of finalization of LOIs between the three governments. Bayu mentioned three potential areas for Singapore and USG collaboration: a) training for diagnostics in Tangerang; b) workshop for JAKARTA 00009515 002.2 OF 003 dealing with AI victims; c) implementation of a public awareness campaign. MOH Finalizes CDC Application for Funds -------------- ¶4. (U) The Indonesian Ministry of Health is finalizing its application for funds through the CDC RFA CI06-607 to support its AI program. The MOH will be proposing activities under all three pillars of the President's National Strategy. Under "Preparedness and Communication" (Pillar 1),the MOH will identify, train and support Government spokespersons at national, provincial and district levels; and will also distribute avian influenza prevention, treatment, and surveillance guidelines to health workers at all levels throughout the country. Under "Surveillance and Detection" (Pillar 2),the MOH proposes to complement the contributions being made by USAID to implement Integrated (human & animal) Disease Surveillance and Community-based Surveillance for AI. Under "Response and Containment" (Pillar 3),the MOH will focus on establishing, training and supporting national, provincial and district Rapid Response Teams. Human AI Case Profile -------------- ¶5. (SBU) The CDC confirmed H5N1 infection in a 44-year-old male from East Jakarta who died in Jakarta on July 12, raising the number of confirmed deaths to 44. This case had previously been identified by NAMRU-2 and the NIHRD (National Institute of Health Research and Development) laboratory in Jakarta. The media in Jakarta reported that Indonesia has overtaken Vietnam and now leads the world in number of human deaths. NAMRU-2 reports no new probable cases since last reftel. NAMRU-2 data indicates the following AI-related case profile as of July 27: -- Number of laboratory confirmed (positive PCR and/or serology) human AI cases: 56, of which 44 have been fatal (case fatality rate of 79 percent). -- Number of probable AI cases (awaiting WHO Laboratory confirmation): 4, with 2 deaths (fatality rate of 50 percent). -- Number of cases awaiting verification by the US CDC:0. -- Number of possible AI untested cases under investigation (last 30 days): approximately 9. ¶6. (SBU) Note: NAMRU-2 data corresponds with Ministry of Health data but may vary at times with AI case figures presented on the official World Health Organization (WHO) website, which usually lags NAMRU-2 data by one week. The WHO website (last updated on July 26) currently notes 54 human AI cases in Indonesia with 42 deaths. WHO figures can be accessed at www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza. JAKARTA 00009515 003.2 OF 003 PASCOE