CYPRUS: SUSPECTED CASE OF AI IN POULTRY IN NORTH

UNCLAS NICOSIA 000076

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KFLU EAGR EAID KSCA TBIO KSTH WHO AMED
PREL, CY
SUBJECT: CYPRUS: SUSPECTED CASE OF AI IN POULTRY IN NORTH

REFS: (A) NICOSIA 74 (B) NICOSIA 50 (C) NICOSIA 34 (D) 05

NICOSIA 1914 (E) 05 NICOSIA 1866 (F) 05 NICOSIA 1836 (G)
05 NICOSIA 1740 (H) 05 NICOSIA 1676 (I) 05 NICOSIA 1591
(J) 05 NICOSIA 1488


1. (SBU) The Turkish Cypriot "Chief Veterinary Officer"
Ersan Korudag confirmed to us that two birds (a chicken
and a turkey) had tested positive for an A type influenza
late January 23. Turkish Cypriot laboratories lack the
ability to test for subtypes of AI, thus Turkish Cypriot
authorities have been unable to immediately confirm
whether the birds had died of H5N1 or a different strain.
Samples had been sent to Turkey and the UK (Weybridge)
for further testing. Korudag would not speculate when
they would have the results of these tests. UNDP
environment officer Nic Jarraud, however, told us he
expects the results of the tests to be ready on Friday,
January 27.


2. (SBU) The two birds were discovered in the small
village of Incirili (Maykrasykas in Greek) in Eastern
Cyprus and just north of the UK Sovereign Base Area (SBA)
of Dekelia. Korudag told us they had closed off access
to the village last night and would complete by noon
today (January 24) culling all the poultry within a three
kilometer radius. The job was made easier as no other
villages fall within the 3 km zone and only one road runs
through Incirili. The UK military has also increased
surveillance for dead birds within the UK SBA and is
receiving assistance from Greek Cypriot veterinary
authorities. According to the "Under Secretary" of the
Turkish Cypriot health ministry, Greek Cypriot press
reports of positive tests in two other Turkish Cypriot
villages were unfounded. The "Under Secretary" reported
no suspicious cases in humans.


3. (SBU) The USAID-funded, UNDP-administered ACT program
has invited veterinary health experts from both the
Turkish Cypriot community and the GoC to emergency
consultations either later today or tomorrow to encourage
further cooperation between the two communities.


4. (SBU) According to Jarraud, while it is not yet known
whether the birds died of H5N1 or another less virulent
strain of AI such as H7, the viruses are transmitted the
same way. Either the poultry was exposed to infected
birds from abroad or was allowed to interact with
migratory birds. Either way suggests that there has been
a breakdown in Turkish Cypriot precautions. The
discovery will increase pressure in the south on the GoC
to ban all travel to the area administered by the Turkish
Cypriots and to close the checkpoints. Post will
continue to monitor the situation.


SCHLICHER