HHS VISIT BOOSTS REGIONAL FOCUS ON AVIAN FLU

UNCLAS PANAMA 001231 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR G - MELINE AND FOR AIAG - DALEY ALSO FOR WHA/CEN - SCHIFFER AND WHA/EPSC - GUMBINER HHS FOR OGHA - STEIGER AND FOR OPHEP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO KFLU SENV PM SUBJECT: HHS VISIT BOOSTS REGIONAL FOCUS ON AVIAN FLU This message is sensitive but unclassified. Please handle accordingly. ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Secretary of Health & Human Services (HHS) Michael Leavitt's June 7-10 visit to Panama boosted the efforts of Central American health ministers to prepare for a possible outbreak of Avian Influenza (AI) or another type of pandemic. Through a series of official meetings and public diplomacy events, the visit elevated the attention given to AI by the GOP. Smithsonian scientists briefed the HHS delegation on avian disease and migration research findings related to AI. The visit further reinforced longstanding U.S.-Panama cooperation on public health, helping to counter the "medical diplomacy" campaigns waged by Cuba and Venezuela. End summary. HHS Engages Central American Ministers on AI Preparedness -------------- -------------- ¶2. (U) On June 8, Secretary Leavitt participated in the 24th meeting of the Central American Health Ministers Commission (COMISCA). The meeting focused on regional coordination and preparation for a possible outbreak of Avian Influenza (AI) or another type of pandemic. In welcoming Secretary Leavitt, First Vice President & Foreign Minister Samuel Lewis Navarro lauded HHS' strong support for sustainable development in Latin America, noting how a possible pandemic could have devastating social and economic consequences. ¶3. (U) In addressing the COMISCA group and about 200 additional participants, Secretary Leavitt said that advancing public health is a common pursuit that unites all countries. After recounting the 1918 Spanish flu's catastrophic impacts on Central America and other parts of Latin America, he stressed that we are "overdue and underprepared." Noting that Panama represents an important hemispheric crossroads for both people and migratory birds, Secretary Leavitt highlighted the recent cooperation SIPDIS agreement between HHS and Panama's Gorgas Memorial Institute (GMI) as a key part of a global surveillance network. He also touted the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute's (STRI's) long history of scientific work in Panama and strong USG cooperation with Panama and others through USDA and USAID on avian flu and animal health issues. After describing U.S. 
preparedness efforts, the Secretary emphasized broader USG cooperation internationally, including the International Partnership on Avian and Pandemic Influenz a. ¶4. (U) In subsequent discussions, Central American health ministers underscored the regional importance of HHS' work with GMI, the need for complementary national preparedness efforts. Some suggested that ministerial discussions on AI preparedness be elevated to presidential levels. In response, Secretary Leavitt said that HHS support for GMI signals the USG's clear desire to build capacity regionally and globally. He added that G-8 presidents would address AI issues at their St. Petersburg summit in July. Secretary Leavitt also pointed to the need for proactive media outreach as part of good social communications strategies and for advance work on preparedness at local levels. Sec. Leavitt Touches Panamanian Hearts & Minds -------------- - ¶5. (U) Secretary Leavitt's message on the importance of preparedness received extensive print and broadcast media coverage over several days, culminating with his one-on-one interview that appeared in the June 17 health section of "La Prensa," one of Panama's leading broadsheet dailies. In addition, on June 8 he addressed a standing-room-only crowd of approximately 300 medical and nursing students at Panama's Santo Tomas Hospital. A number of the attendees later remarked on how much they appreciated the Secretary's personal approach, his positive message on the value of public service, and his focus on prevention as an integral part of health care. STRI Briefs on Avian Disease & Migration Patterns -------------- -------------- ¶6. (U) On June 9, the HHS delegation visited Barro Colorado Island, a 1500-hectare island located in the middle of the Panama Canal that STRI has administered as a major research facility for about 60 years. STRI scientists briefed Secretary Leavitt on their research activities related both SIPDIS to avian disease and avian migration. Noting that Panama serves as a "funnel" for the north-south and south-north migration of millions of birds, STRI has monitored more than 300 resident and migratory species for AI since 2002. STRI scientists noted that low level and low pathogenic forms of influenza have "always" been with bird populations. However, the scientists have yet to observe any positive signs of the H5N1 virus in Panama. Although they believe that the H5N1 virus' first appearance in the western hemisphere would likely be in Alaska, they suggested that it could also enter the hemisphere via other flyways. For example, the golden plover migrates in a figure-8 pattern between Europe, Africa, South America, and North America. Moreover, STRI scientists suggested that land transport (e.g., poultry trade and movement of caged birds) could rival migratory bird travel in importance as a pathway for the spread of AI. Comment: Visit Reinforces U.S.-Panama Health Cooperation -------------- -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Secretary Leavitt's visit significantly reinforced the U.S.-Panama partnership on public health. Health Minister Camilo Alleyne noted (with obvious delight) that this was the first ever visit of a U.S. Health Secretary, despite decades of bilateral collaboration. GMI Director Jorge Motta told Econ Chief that the visit delivered a huge boost to his and Alleyne's efforts to raise the profile of AI and pandemic preparedness, both with the public and with top GOP leaders. (For example, Vice President Samuel Lewis Navarro participated in a breakfast meeting hosted by the Ambassador in honor of Secretary Leavitt, as well as in the opening of the COMISCA meeting. President Martin Torrijos and the First Lady also hosted a lunch for Secretary Leavitt and were clearly interested in the issue.) As reported septel, the GOP is increasingly pursuing inter-institutional coordination on AI preparedness. By highlighting the depth and breadth of USG engagement here on health, the Secretary's visit offered an im portant counterweight to Cuban and Venezuelan efforts to gain influence through "medical diplomacy." End comment. ¶8. (U) This message was not cleared by the HHS delegation. EATON