CHAD: EAC CONVENES ON AVIAN INFLUENZA

UNCLAS NDJAMENA 000217 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AMGT ASEC CASC AMED KFLO AEMR CD SUBJECT: CHAD: EAC CONVENES ON AVIAN INFLUENZA ¶1. Ndjamena Emergency Action Committee (EAC) convened Monday, February 13 and discussed Avian Influenza (AI) outbreak in northern Nigeria. Given weak animal-health border controls between Nigeria and neighboring countries Niger, Chad and Cameroon, EAC agreed that the outbreak met the criteria for post's AI Tripwire 1 ("H5N1 Virus detected in local bird population.") ¶2. Foreign Service Health Practitioner (FSHP) will brief Embassy Locally Engaged Staff (LES) on hygiene during regularly scheduled briefings this week on the LES health insurance plan. Consular Officer and FSHP will brief Wardens February 16 at a previously scheduled Warden meeting. Post issued a Warden message concerning Avian Influenza by e-mail to Amcits on Friday, February 10 and will distribute similar information to OSAC. ¶3. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) representative called a meeting of donors February 10 to discuss the current state of preparedness in Chad. A Government of Chad (GOC) Plan of Action (POA) has yet to be officially released, but post has obtained an advance copy (in french). The Plan of Action outlines needs for surveillance, reinforcement of capacity, and public communication. Total needs come to approximately USD 6 million. We expect the FAO to convene another meeting shortly to discuss the Government's plan and to solicit donor reactions. POA has been scanned and sent to USAID/ACCRA. WALL