MINISTRY OF TOURISM SUPPRESSES BIRD FLU RESPONSE

UNCLAS NASSAU 000616 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CAR WBENT STATE FOR OES/IHA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO SENV ECON EAGR EAID PREL BF SUBJECT: MINISTRY OF TOURISM SUPPRESSES BIRD FLU RESPONSE REF: A. 05 NASSAU 2012 ¶B. NASSAU 363 ¶C. NASSAU 368 ¶1. Environmental officials informed the Embassy April 4 that the Bahamian Government has ceased its investigation of multiple suspicious bird deaths on Great Inagua Island. In late February, the discovery sparked fears of the first bird flu cases in the Western Hemisphere (reftels b and c). Laboratory testing promised in the aftermath of the discovery was never done and there is no indication that it will be. No further bird deaths have been reported. ¶2. After initial concerns surfaced, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) recommended to the Bahamian Government that laboratory testing be carried out to confirm that the birds did not have avian flu. PAHO had identified a facility in London to receive the specimens and initially reported that the process was underway. The Bahamian government agreed to that course of action, but, in the end, did not follow the PAHO recommendation. PAHO officials said that insufficient local laboratory facilities made collection of samples for testing difficult, and acknowledged strong circumstantial evidence that the deaths were unrelated to bird flu. However, it also expressed disappointment that The Bahamas did not make alternate arrangements to scientifically confirm the absence of bird flu. PAHO said it is now working with The Bahamas to improve procedures and laboratory facilities to respond more effectively to future incidents. ¶3. COMMENT: There remains little chance that the deaths were the result of bird flu (reftels b and c). The Bahamian reaction, however, raises concerns about how an actual outbreak would be handled (reftel a). Almost immediately after the first reports surfaced, the Ministry of Tourism took the lead on the Bahamian response. Tourism officials "confirmed" that the cases were not bird flu before there was scientific testing to support circumstantial evidence ruling out bird flu. Tourism officials criticized local media and national park personnel for disclosing bird flu concerns, blaming their openness for the international media response and the related threat to the tourist industry. Based on this experience, there is some risk that a desire to control rumors and their attendant economic costs could interfere with the timely disclosure of information and the transparent and scientific investigation of possible bird flu cases. END COMMENT. HARDT