SUDAN - SUSPECTED AVIAN FLU OUTBREAK, Sitrep 1

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 000935 SIPDIS AIDAC SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/SPG, PRM, AND ALSO PASS USAID/W USAID FOR DCHA SUDAN TEAM, AF/EA, DCHA NAIROBI FOR USAID/DCHA/OFDA, USAID/REDSO, AND FAS USMISSION UN ROME GENEVA FOR NKYLOH NAIROBI FOR SFO NSC FOR JMELINE, TSHORTLEY USUN FOR TMALY BRUSSELS FOR PLERNER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PREF PGOV PHUM SOCI KAWC SU SUBJECT: SUDAN - SUSPECTED AVIAN FLU OUTBREAK, Sitrep 1 ¶1. (SBU) WHO contacted USAID on April 18 to alert us to possible outbreak of avian flu in Sudan. Today a rapid test by the Government of Sudan on nasal secretions and serum from affected birds revealed Strain A flu. ¶2. (SBU) A WHO outbreak investigation team is scheduled to arrive in Khartoum on April 19 equipped with a PCR machine that will be able to do immediate tests on site. Samples are also being sent to a laboratory in London. It will take about a week for confirmation from the London laboratory. ¶3. (SBU) There have been heavy losses of poultry in the Khartoum area in the last few weeks. Some producers are said to have lost up to $500,000 and more as a result of the illness that has swept through the bird population, largely in Khartoum North. WHO reported to USAID that there are reports of avian deaths as far north as Shendi. ¶4. (SBU) One suspected human case is hospitalized in Khartoum and under treatment with tamiflu. The patient, a 35 year old man is reported to be responding well to treatment. ¶5. (SBU) We hear that the Government of Sudan is planning to make press statements announcing avian flu, although WHO is more cautious publicly, wanting to wait for test results. Privately, they told USAID that this level of deaths indicates likely H5N1 virus. ¶6. (SBU) In a meeting with USAID on April 18, WHO requested assistance from the US Government in support of the Ministry of Health efforts. Protective clothing and tamiflu doses are needed for 100 workers in the short term. WHO said 100 sets of PPE and 250 doses of tamiflu would be a good start. USAID believes that more PPE is needed given that PPE is usually used once and then discarded. REDSO/Nairobi's e-mail offer to send 300 sets immediately is timely and welcome. WHO has also prepared a proposal to USAID for about $400,000 to support the Government's action plan that includes surveillance, detection and prevention/containment. A copy of the proposal is being forwarded to USAID/W. ¶7. (U) USAID/Khartoum will commence numbered sitreps on the outbreak beginning with this one. STEINFELD