Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06NASSAU616
2006-04-06 21:20:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Nassau
Cable title:
MINISTRY OF TOURISM SUPPRESSES BIRD FLU RESPONSE
how-toVZCZCXYZ0015 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHBH #0616 0962120 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 062120Z APR 06 FM AMEMBASSY NASSAU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2402 INFO RUEHBE/AMEMBASSY BELIZE 1245 RUEHWN/AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN 5384 RUEHGE/AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN 3511 RUEHKG/AMEMBASSY KINGSTON 8323 RUEHPO/AMEMBASSY PARAMARIBO 0891 RUEHPU/AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE 3354 RUEHSP/AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN 4516 RUEHDG/AMEMBASSY SANTO DOMINGO 2632 RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHDC RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
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
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
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