SUDAN - AVIAN FLU UPDATE 8 - JUNE 20

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 001444 SIPDIS AIDAC SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/SPG, PRM, AND ALSO PASS USAID/W USAID FOR DCHA SUDAN TEAM, AFR/SP NAIROBI FOR USAID/DCHA/OFDA, USAID/REDSO, AND FAS USMISSION UN ROME GENEVA FOR NKYLOH NAIROBI FOR SFO NSC FOR JBRAUSE, TSHORTLEY USUN FOR TMALY BRUSSELS FOR PLERNER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PREF PGOV TBIO PHUM SOCI SU SUBJECT: SUDAN - AVIAN FLU UPDATE 8 - JUNE 20 REF: KHARTOUM 1395 -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. On June 18, 2006, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) convened the forth Technical Task Force meeting on avian influenza (AI) in Khartoum. Following three weeks of no new reported cases, samples received from two different locations in Khartoum State tested positive for the H5N2 virus. The Sudanese government has banned the importation of poultry and poultry products. The committee formed to plan for the upcoming AI vaccination program continues preparations. The joint proposal of FAO, the U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF),and the U.N. World Health Organization (WHO) on actions needed to mitigate and contain the AI outbreak in Sudan has not yet been presented to donors. Two thousand units of USAID-donated personal protective equipment (PPE) have arrived in country. End summary. -------------- Outbreak Update and Vaccination Preparations -------------- ¶2. On June 18, FAO/Khartoum convened a meeting of the Technical Task Force on AI. Following three weeks of no new cases reported, samples received from two different locations in Khartoum State tested positive for the H5N2 virus on June 8. No positive cases were reported from other states. Currently, 216 farms in Sudan are affected by AI. The Task Force stressed the need for all stakeholders to remain alert, as a decline in the number of outbreaks does not mean that the vQus has been eliminated. ¶3. The Task Force reported that the importation of poultry and poultry products into Sudan has been banned indefinitely by the government. The committee formed to address issues related to the economic impact of AI on the poultry industry in Sudan, including compensation for the farmers, expects to submit a report by end of July ¶2006. ¶4. In collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries and the Federal Veterinary Laboratory, the Khartoum State Ministry of Agriculture is making preparations for a poultry vaccinationprogram. Threu millionuEce1ebnM_HQse\'/fOl$$h?QiQQ4Qb=5$a`d5 {nwQ\Qqs4\.AUQKtB#Z2!s&`kd^vT0MQQ $oposal on actions needed to mitigate and contain AI has yet to be officially presented to donors, but unofficial reports put the figure at approximately USD 7.5 million. FAO has allocated USD 250,000 for AI control activities. USAID has awarded USD 200,000 and provided a total of 2,000 units of PPE to FAO, 1,500 of which have arrived at Khartoum Airport and will be distributed in consultation with FAO. FAO is looking for other donors to contribute and expects that money may be made available from the Common Humanitarian Fund. ¶7. FAO will hold workshop on AI control in Beirut, Lebanon, during the last week of June, and candidates from Sudan will participate. The Ministry of Health has also sent staff to Turkey to learn from the Turkish AI experience. The Nairobi workshop originally scheduled KHARTOUM 00001444 002 OF 002 for June 12 has been postponed until July. -------------- Southern Sudan - Preparedness -------------- ¶8. The Government of Southern Sudan Ministry of Animal Resources has established an AI task force that meets regularly in Juba. No AI cases have been reported in the south, which lacks a poultry industry. Concern is warranted, however, for the health of backyard flocks and wild birds. Of the 2,000 PPE USAID provided to FAO, 500 were shipped directly to Southern Sudan. FAO continues working to secure a place for one candidate from the south to participate in the Nairobi workshop in July. HUME