Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06NICOSIA125
2006-01-31 13:53:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Nicosia
Cable title:
EMBASSY NICOSIA EAC - 30 JANUARY 2006 - AVIAN FLU
how-toVZCZCXYZ0010 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHNC #0125 0311353 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 311353Z JAN 06 FM AMEMBASSY NICOSIA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5474 INFO RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 0377 RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 4524 RUEHTH/AMEMBASSY ATHENS 3479 RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 0152
UNCLAS NICOSIA 000125
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DS/IP/EUR, DS/IP/ITA, AMMAN FOR RMO, CAIRO FOR RMO/P
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KFLU ASEC AMED CY
SUBJECT: EMBASSY NICOSIA EAC - 30 JANUARY 2006 - AVIAN FLU
UPDATE
REF: NICOSIA 116
UNCLAS NICOSIA 000125
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DS/IP/EUR, DS/IP/ITA, AMMAN FOR RMO, CAIRO FOR RMO/P
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KFLU ASEC AMED CY
SUBJECT: EMBASSY NICOSIA EAC - 30 JANUARY 2006 - AVIAN FLU
UPDATE
REF: NICOSIA 116
1. (SBU) On January 30, 2006, the DCM convened Embassy
Nicosia's EAC to brief the Ambassador and review current
conditions in response to a confirmed case of the H5N1 found
in the area controlled by Turkish Cypriots. Also discussed
were actions the Embassy will take as a result of the
confirmed cases and a review of Greek Cypriot actions
concerning the discovery of a dead raptor on the Embassy
compound. The meeting was attended by the AMB, DCM, RSO,
DAO, PAS, CONS, MGT, ECON, OSC (formally FBIS),USAID and RA.
2. (SBU) Economic Section briefed that on January 29, the
H5N1 virus was confirmed in two samples of a chicken and
turkey. The virus was confirmed by the EU reference
laboratory at Weybridge in the UK. Over 1,200 birds have
been destroyed and buried and extra precautions have been
extended to all villages within 10km of the affected area.
There are no plans at this point to close down any of the
checkpoints.
3. (SBU) The Consular Section drafted an updated Warden
message that was released on January 30. The Embassy plans
to invite Wardens to a Town Hall meeting with the RMO from
Amman on Wednesday, February 8, at the Embassy. The Consular
Section is planning on other outreach programs with American
citizens at schools and universities both in the Greek
Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.
4. (SBU) On January 30, at approximately 0720, ARSO received
a report from Post One that a dead bird was found inside the
Chancery compound directly outside of the East hardline door.
The guards were instructed to cordon off the area. Cyprus'
Veterinary Services was contacted and a veterinary doctor was
dispatched to the Embassy to retrieve the bird and conduct
preliminary testing. The bird was removed and the area was
decontaminated. The area was reopened on January 31.
Results concerning the cause of death of the bird are
expected in three to four days.
5. (SBU) EAC concluded all precautions currently in place are
sufficient. Should events dictate a more stringent approach
to the way the embassy conducts business, the EAC will meet
to decide further precautionary actions.
SCHLICHER
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DS/IP/EUR, DS/IP/ITA, AMMAN FOR RMO, CAIRO FOR RMO/P
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KFLU ASEC AMED CY
SUBJECT: EMBASSY NICOSIA EAC - 30 JANUARY 2006 - AVIAN FLU
UPDATE
REF: NICOSIA 116
1. (SBU) On January 30, 2006, the DCM convened Embassy
Nicosia's EAC to brief the Ambassador and review current
conditions in response to a confirmed case of the H5N1 found
in the area controlled by Turkish Cypriots. Also discussed
were actions the Embassy will take as a result of the
confirmed cases and a review of Greek Cypriot actions
concerning the discovery of a dead raptor on the Embassy
compound. The meeting was attended by the AMB, DCM, RSO,
DAO, PAS, CONS, MGT, ECON, OSC (formally FBIS),USAID and RA.
2. (SBU) Economic Section briefed that on January 29, the
H5N1 virus was confirmed in two samples of a chicken and
turkey. The virus was confirmed by the EU reference
laboratory at Weybridge in the UK. Over 1,200 birds have
been destroyed and buried and extra precautions have been
extended to all villages within 10km of the affected area.
There are no plans at this point to close down any of the
checkpoints.
3. (SBU) The Consular Section drafted an updated Warden
message that was released on January 30. The Embassy plans
to invite Wardens to a Town Hall meeting with the RMO from
Amman on Wednesday, February 8, at the Embassy. The Consular
Section is planning on other outreach programs with American
citizens at schools and universities both in the Greek
Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.
4. (SBU) On January 30, at approximately 0720, ARSO received
a report from Post One that a dead bird was found inside the
Chancery compound directly outside of the East hardline door.
The guards were instructed to cordon off the area. Cyprus'
Veterinary Services was contacted and a veterinary doctor was
dispatched to the Embassy to retrieve the bird and conduct
preliminary testing. The bird was removed and the area was
decontaminated. The area was reopened on January 31.
Results concerning the cause of death of the bird are
expected in three to four days.
5. (SBU) EAC concluded all precautions currently in place are
sufficient. Should events dictate a more stringent approach
to the way the embassy conducts business, the EAC will meet
to decide further precautionary actions.
SCHLICHER