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
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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

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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
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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
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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

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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
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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