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

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Summary
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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.

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Outbreak Update and Vaccination Preparations
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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.

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Southern Sudan - Preparedness
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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