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