DRC: AVIAN INFLUENZA UPDATE: NO CONFIRMED CASES

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000476 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR OES/PCI-STEWARD AND OES/IHA-SINGER DEPT PASS USAID FOR AID/W/AFR MHARVEY AND KODONNELL HHS FOR OGHA STEIGER/BHAT HHS PASS TO CDC FOR BLOUNT/JANI/LEDUC/NCOX/ARTHUR GENEVA FOR WHO ROME FOR FAO USDA/APHIS/US/NCIE FOR BURLESON USDA/FSIS FOR RHARRIES USDA/FAS/CMP/DLP FOR MFRANCOM E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR KFLU TBIO ECON EAID SENV CG SUBJECT: DRC: AVIAN INFLUENZA UPDATE: NO CONFIRMED CASES REF: KINSHASA 461 ¶1. (U) DRC Minister of Agriculture N'dom Nda Ombel announced March 16 that there were three suspected outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in the DRC (reftel). Ombel released a communique today stating that the first samples from those outbreaks, sent to South Africa for testing, have come back negative. He asked the population to remain calm, to be prudent, and to report any suspicious events involving domestic or wild birds. He repeated the GDRC warning not to touch any dead or obviously sick birds, and provided contact numbers for reporting die-offs. ¶2. (U) EconCouns spoke today with Agriculture Ministry Secretary General Ali Ramazani, who explained that SIPDIS samples taken from suspected HPAI cases in Kinshasa and Bas-Congo had tested negative. Results from samples taken from the 200-300 chicken and duck die- off in Tshikapa, Western Kasai are pending. Ramazani estimated that the Tshikapa sample results would be received within a day or two. ¶3. (U) Comment: The negative results are good news for the DRC, where rumors always run rampant. It is a hopeful sign that the GDRC, in coordination with international partners, sent the samples out quickly and that only a few days passed between the original announcement and the preliminary results. Despite its own personnel and equipment shortcomings, the GDRC is working with WHO, FAO, and UNICEF to obtain information, share it with the population, and thereby avoid panic. End comment. MEECE