Juba: Avian Flu Identified in Poultry

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 002203 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV TBIO KFLU EAID SOCI US SU SUBJECT: Juba: Avian Flu Identified in Poultry Ref: a) Khartoum IIR 6 890 0469 06, b) Khartoum 01925 and previous ¶1. The Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) has confirmed several cases of poultry infected with Avian Influenza (H5N1) in Juba. There are no reports of Avian Influenza in the human population, however, and no commercial poultry operations in the region. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) physician responsible for the HIV/AIDS program in Juba is now working with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to help both the MoA and the Ministry of Health (MoH) establish a task force to perform a survey, monitor the spread of the disease, and develop an action plan. ¶2. After initial slowness on the part of the GoSS, the ministries now seem more willing to take action, but the CDC remains concerned that the GoSS is not taking the immediate steps necessary to prevent a wider outbreak. The UN and the Consulate General are now coordinating their response to provide suppot to the government. ¶3. Avian Influenza was confirmed in three chickens at one household in Juba on August 4. Several other households have reported recent or ongoing chicken and duck deaths. The MoA failed to report these cases of Avian Influenza to the MoH until last week. The CDC was notified on September 8 and had immediately begun contingency planning to support the Government's response. There is no current understanding of the extent to which the disease has spread, and while no human cases have yet been identified, and are unlikely, such cannot be ruled out due to the lack of an effective surveillance system. ¶4. Note: USAID will report septel regarding other activities involving outreach efforts and technical assistance provided to the GoSS for its response to Avian Influenza, which complement those furnished at the GNU level. End Note. POWERS