Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06MANILA3803
2006-09-11 01:53:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Manila
Cable title:
PHILIPPINES AVIAN INFLUENZA UPDATE
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 003803
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR UNDER SECRETARY PDOBRIANSKY
STATE FOR AMBASSADOR JLANGE
STATE FOR OES/IHA FOR JKAUFMANN, DSINGER AND RDALEY
STATE FOR INR/EAP FOR JSTROTZ
STATE PASS USDA/FAS/ICD FOR ROSENBLUM
STATE PASS USDA/FAS/DL&P FOR WETZEL
STATE PASS USDA/FAS/ITP/AA FOR SHEIK
STATE PASS USDA/FAS/FAA FOR YOUNG
STATE PASS USDA/APHIS/IS FOR HOFFMAN
STATE PASS USDA/APHIS/VS FOR DUVERNOY
STATE PASS USDA/ARS/SEPRL FOR SUAREZ
STATE PASS USAID FOR DCARROLL AND ACLEMENTS
BANGKOK FOR REO JAMES WALLER
CIA FOR NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE COUNCIL NIO/EA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO SENV EAGR EAID PREL RP
SUBJECT: PHILIPPINES AVIAN INFLUENZA UPDATE
MANILA 00003803 001.2 OF 002
-------
Summary
-------
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 003803
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR UNDER SECRETARY PDOBRIANSKY
STATE FOR AMBASSADOR JLANGE
STATE FOR OES/IHA FOR JKAUFMANN, DSINGER AND RDALEY
STATE FOR INR/EAP FOR JSTROTZ
STATE PASS USDA/FAS/ICD FOR ROSENBLUM
STATE PASS USDA/FAS/DL&P FOR WETZEL
STATE PASS USDA/FAS/ITP/AA FOR SHEIK
STATE PASS USDA/FAS/FAA FOR YOUNG
STATE PASS USDA/APHIS/IS FOR HOFFMAN
STATE PASS USDA/APHIS/VS FOR DUVERNOY
STATE PASS USDA/ARS/SEPRL FOR SUAREZ
STATE PASS USAID FOR DCARROLL AND ACLEMENTS
BANGKOK FOR REO JAMES WALLER
CIA FOR NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE COUNCIL NIO/EA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO SENV EAGR EAID PREL RP
SUBJECT: PHILIPPINES AVIAN INFLUENZA UPDATE
MANILA 00003803 001.2 OF 002
--------------
Summary
--------------
1. There continues to be no evidence of AI in the Philippines. Post
continues to monitor the situation within the country and the
region, coordinates with other donors, and provides technical
assistance to the GRP in four key areas: a) pandemic preparedness
planning, b) mass communication and education campaigns, c) piloting
of early warning systems at the community level in select areas, and
d) leveraging private sector resources for preparedness efforts.
End Summary.
--------------
AI Preparedness Activities
--------------
2. The National AI Task Force (NAITF),led by the Department of
Health and Department of Agriculture/Bureau of Animal Industries
(DA/BAI),completed a series of eight workshops from April to July
2006 to develop Preparedness and Response Plans in 97 target
municipalities spread through 37 Provinces in critical areas based
on migratory bird fly-way zones. NAITF presented the plans at a
forum attended by Provincial Governors and Administrators on August
31, 2006. The forum resulted in a draft resolution enjoining all
provinces to set in motion integrated animal and human preparedness
and response plans for AI. The draft resolution will be ratified by
the League of Provinces of the Philippines to secure local level
commitment for testing and diagnosis, public information campaigns,
training and budget support to outbreak response measures.
3. Community-level information, education and communication (IEC)
campaigns on prevention practices targeting local authorities and
the general public, with special attention to backyard poultry
owners, are being implemented in the identified high risk areas,
including border provinces in Mindanao that trade heavily with H5N1
endemic countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia. IEC materials
have been translated into five local dialects including three local
dialects in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to reach
an estimated population of over four million people in the critical
areas.
4. The NAITF, with technical support from USAID-supported NGOs,
CARE/Philippines and ACDI/VOCA, is developing early warning systems
to enable high-risk communities manage the risks associated with
bird flu at the barangay (neighborhood) level. Two community-level
tabletop simulation exercises involving community and municipal
level officers have occurred in a province in Mindanao with critical
wetlands areas. The tabletop exercises are a significant milestone
in developing a reliable and functional reporting system at the
community level. The simulations also enabled the DOH and DA to map
out initial responses of the community such as contact tracing and
identification of possible quarantine areas.
5. The Avian and Pandemic influenza Network (AI Network),composed
of civil society and private organizations, have started training
programs and public information activities. A consultation/
planning workshop is planned in mid September to prioritize
financing gaps and to identify areas for public-private
partnership.
--------------
MANILA 00003803 002.2 OF 002
Other donor support
--------------
6. More recent efforts from other donors include assistance from New
Zealand and the Japan Trust Fund through the Food and Agricultural
Organization for strengthening laboratories and testing and
diagnostic capacities. New Zealand has supported hygiene training
of school teachers and activities to leverage the contribution of
civil society organizations. The Australian Agency for
International Development has also provided assistance to strengthen
hospital preparedness for pandemic influenza including commodity
support. The Asian Development Bank is currently financing a
project to improve epidemiological surveillance.
--------------
Comment
--------------
7. Local government units in the Philippines, with guidance from
their national government counterparts, have given substantive
effort to formulate AI preparedness plans. The accomplishments to
date will not be sustained without continued advocacy and technical
support especially in promoting awareness, and ensuring standards
and readiness at all levels. Continued assistance from the US
Government is critical to leverage and mobilize required in-country
resources for the plans to be implemented effectively. JONES
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR UNDER SECRETARY PDOBRIANSKY
STATE FOR AMBASSADOR JLANGE
STATE FOR OES/IHA FOR JKAUFMANN, DSINGER AND RDALEY
STATE FOR INR/EAP FOR JSTROTZ
STATE PASS USDA/FAS/ICD FOR ROSENBLUM
STATE PASS USDA/FAS/DL&P FOR WETZEL
STATE PASS USDA/FAS/ITP/AA FOR SHEIK
STATE PASS USDA/FAS/FAA FOR YOUNG
STATE PASS USDA/APHIS/IS FOR HOFFMAN
STATE PASS USDA/APHIS/VS FOR DUVERNOY
STATE PASS USDA/ARS/SEPRL FOR SUAREZ
STATE PASS USAID FOR DCARROLL AND ACLEMENTS
BANGKOK FOR REO JAMES WALLER
CIA FOR NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE COUNCIL NIO/EA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO SENV EAGR EAID PREL RP
SUBJECT: PHILIPPINES AVIAN INFLUENZA UPDATE
MANILA 00003803 001.2 OF 002
--------------
Summary
--------------
1. There continues to be no evidence of AI in the Philippines. Post
continues to monitor the situation within the country and the
region, coordinates with other donors, and provides technical
assistance to the GRP in four key areas: a) pandemic preparedness
planning, b) mass communication and education campaigns, c) piloting
of early warning systems at the community level in select areas, and
d) leveraging private sector resources for preparedness efforts.
End Summary.
--------------
AI Preparedness Activities
--------------
2. The National AI Task Force (NAITF),led by the Department of
Health and Department of Agriculture/Bureau of Animal Industries
(DA/BAI),completed a series of eight workshops from April to July
2006 to develop Preparedness and Response Plans in 97 target
municipalities spread through 37 Provinces in critical areas based
on migratory bird fly-way zones. NAITF presented the plans at a
forum attended by Provincial Governors and Administrators on August
31, 2006. The forum resulted in a draft resolution enjoining all
provinces to set in motion integrated animal and human preparedness
and response plans for AI. The draft resolution will be ratified by
the League of Provinces of the Philippines to secure local level
commitment for testing and diagnosis, public information campaigns,
training and budget support to outbreak response measures.
3. Community-level information, education and communication (IEC)
campaigns on prevention practices targeting local authorities and
the general public, with special attention to backyard poultry
owners, are being implemented in the identified high risk areas,
including border provinces in Mindanao that trade heavily with H5N1
endemic countries such as Indonesia and Malaysia. IEC materials
have been translated into five local dialects including three local
dialects in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) to reach
an estimated population of over four million people in the critical
areas.
4. The NAITF, with technical support from USAID-supported NGOs,
CARE/Philippines and ACDI/VOCA, is developing early warning systems
to enable high-risk communities manage the risks associated with
bird flu at the barangay (neighborhood) level. Two community-level
tabletop simulation exercises involving community and municipal
level officers have occurred in a province in Mindanao with critical
wetlands areas. The tabletop exercises are a significant milestone
in developing a reliable and functional reporting system at the
community level. The simulations also enabled the DOH and DA to map
out initial responses of the community such as contact tracing and
identification of possible quarantine areas.
5. The Avian and Pandemic influenza Network (AI Network),composed
of civil society and private organizations, have started training
programs and public information activities. A consultation/
planning workshop is planned in mid September to prioritize
financing gaps and to identify areas for public-private
partnership.
--------------
MANILA 00003803 002.2 OF 002
Other donor support
--------------
6. More recent efforts from other donors include assistance from New
Zealand and the Japan Trust Fund through the Food and Agricultural
Organization for strengthening laboratories and testing and
diagnostic capacities. New Zealand has supported hygiene training
of school teachers and activities to leverage the contribution of
civil society organizations. The Australian Agency for
International Development has also provided assistance to strengthen
hospital preparedness for pandemic influenza including commodity
support. The Asian Development Bank is currently financing a
project to improve epidemiological surveillance.
--------------
Comment
--------------
7. Local government units in the Philippines, with guidance from
their national government counterparts, have given substantive
effort to formulate AI preparedness plans. The accomplishments to
date will not be sustained without continued advocacy and technical
support especially in promoting awareness, and ensuring standards
and readiness at all levels. Continued assistance from the US
Government is critical to leverage and mobilize required in-country
resources for the plans to be implemented effectively. JONES