Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KINSHASA476
2006-03-22 15:19:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Kinshasa
Cable title:
DRC: AVIAN INFLUENZA UPDATE: NO CONFIRMED CASES
how-toVZCZCXRO8124 PP RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR DE RUEHKI #0476 0811519 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 221519Z MAR 06 FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3494 INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY PRIORITY RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHDC PRIORITY RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHDC PRIORITY
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
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
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