Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06NASSAU363
2006-03-02 16:09:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Nassau
Cable title:  

BIRD FLU FEARS LIKELY UNFOUNDED

Tags:  TBIO SENV ECON EAGR EAID PREL BF 
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VZCZCXYZ0013
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBH #0363 0611609
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 021609Z MAR 06
FM AMEMBASSY NASSAU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2163
INFO RUEHBE/AMEMBASSY BELIZE 1237
RUEHWN/AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN 5367
RUEHKG/AMEMBASSY KINGSTON 8309
RUEHPO/AMEMBASSY PARAMARIBO 0887
RUEHPU/AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE 3342
RUEHSP/AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN 4508
RUEHDG/AMEMBASSY SANTO DOMINGO 2615
UNCLAS NASSAU 000363 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CAR WBENT

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO SENV ECON EAGR EAID PREL BF
SUBJECT: BIRD FLU FEARS LIKELY UNFOUNDED


UNCLAS NASSAU 000363

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/CAR WBENT

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO SENV ECON EAGR EAID PREL BF
SUBJECT: BIRD FLU FEARS LIKELY UNFOUNDED



1. Twenty-one wild birds, mostly flamingos, were found dead
February 28 on the island of Great Inagua in the Southern
Bahamas, and testing is underway to determine if the H5N1
virus, avian influenza, is to blame. Bahamian authorities
are working closely with the Pan American Health Organization
(PAHO),which has provided assistance on handling of samples,
selection of testing facilities and related technical issues.
PAHO officials say that samples have been sent to the UK for
testing, with results expected March 2 or March 3.


2. On March 1, Poloff spoke with Henry Nixon, Chief Park
Ranger for the Bahamas National Park on Great Inagua where
the birds were found. Nixon, an expert on flamingos, said
that groupings of bird deaths this time of year was common,
and while the numbers were larger than usual, they were
highly unlikely to be related to bird flu. "This is not the
pattern of death one would see from bird flu -- we would have
seen hundreds or even thousands of birds dead given the
density of birds here." Nixon also showed frustration with
the Bahamas National Trust employee who expressed widely
publicized concern over bird flu, and said that the speaker
knew nothing about flamingos or bird flu. According to Eric
Carey, Director of Parks and Science for the Bahamas National
Trust, there were multiple normal explanations far more
likely for the deaths, and bird flu testing was "merely
precautionary."


3. Following multiple media reports of possible bird flu
March 1, Minister of Agriculture Leslie Miller held an
evening press conference attempting to calm fears and protect
tourism. "The problem does not exist in The Bahamas," said
Miller, even though test results have not been received.
Miller repeated the reasoning used by Nixon, that bird flu
deaths would have resulted in larger numbers of deaths, and
that initial reports by the National Trust employee were
exaggerated.


4. COMMENT: Bahamian officials are very concerned that the
reports could impact tourism, the driving force in the
Bahamian economy. Local papers have noted a downturn in
stock prices for Kerzner International, owner of the Atlantis
Resort, upon wide publication of the bird flu stories
yesterday. Atlantis told CDA that bookings have declined in
the wake of recent bird flu publicity. This event should
help The Bahamas better prepare for bird flu in the future,
but it also illustrates the danger of premature speculation
in a tourist-driven economy. At this stage, there is little
reason to assume the bird deaths are related to bird flu.
END COMMENT.
HARDT