CYPRUS AI UPDATE: ISOLATED OUTRBEAK UNDER

UNCLAS NICOSIA 000195 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS AMMAN FOR RMO CAIRO FOR RMO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KFLU EAGR EAID CASC KSCA TBIO KSTH WHO AMED, PREL, CY SUBJECT: CYPRUS AI UPDATE: ISOLATED OUTRBEAK UNDER CONTROL; NO NEW REPORTS OF SUSPECTED CASES REFS: (A) NICOSIA 150 (B) NICOSIA 125 (C) NICOSIA 116 (D) 76 (E) NICOSIA 74 (F) NICOSIA 50 (G) NICOSIA 34 (H) 05 NICOSIA 1914 (I) 05 NICOSIA 1866 AND PREVIOUS ¶1. (SBU) There have been no new reports of suspected cases of avian influenza (AI) in either poultry or humans since two chickens tested positive for H5N1 on January 29 (refs a-c). The draft trip report (faxed to EUR/SE) of the EU Veterinary experts who visited Cyprus January 29- February 1 (ref a) concludes that: "the outbreak is of an isolated nature and is contained by effective measures implemented by the veterinary services of the northern part of Cyprus." The EU experts will return February 13- ¶16. According to the GoC veterinary service, both the Kestrel found dead at the Embassy (ref b) and the six chickens found in a plastic bag in the buffer zone (ref a) were AI free. ¶2. (SBU) The GoC continues to question the two positive tests in the north, suggesting that laboratory error is the only way to explain the lack of subsequent cases (ref. a). While WHO and EU veterinary experts have told us that laboratory contamination in Turkey is a real possibility, there is no way to confirm or deny these charges. In any case, both communities (as well as the UK Sovereign Base Area of Dhekalia) are acting as if the cases were real and continue to enforce the 10km surveillance zone. ¶3. (SBU) The Minister of Health told the Ambassador February 10 that the GoC now has enough antiviral drugs (Tamiflu and Relenza) to treat 600 people. The MoH has ordered extra supplies and expects this number to increase to 10,000 by September and 40,000 by early next year. The MoH also plans to open a lab capable of AI PCR testing in humans in the next few months. Currently, the MoH has the capability only to administer an AI rapid test in humans, which then must be sent to a laboratory in Athens for confirmation. The GoC veterinary service uses the egg inculcation test. ¶4. (SBU) On February 8, the Consular Section and the Regional Medical Officer hosted a well-attended and well- received AI Town Hall meeting for the American community wardens. On February 9, the Public Affairs Section held a bicommunal AI DVC with a leading WHO expert. This was only the second time that Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot health experts had agreed to be in the same room. We will continue our outreach to the American community as well as our efforts to foster greater cooperation across the UN-patrolled Green Line. SCHLICHER