AVIAN INFLUENZA: JAPAN WEEKLY REPORT AUGUST 10

UNCLAS TOKYO 004525 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AIAG AMBASSADOR LANGE DEPT FOR OES/IHA SINGER AND FENDRICK DEPT FOR EAP/J USDA PASS TO APHIS HHS PASS TO CDC HHS FOR OGHA STEIGER, BHAT AND ELVANDER DEPT PASS TO AID/GH/HIDN DENNIS CARROLL SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO KFLU KSTH ECON PREL SOCI JA SUBJECT: AVIAN INFLUENZA: JAPAN WEEKLY REPORT AUGUST 10 REF: A. 05 STATE 153802 ¶B. TOKYO 4409 AND PREVIOUS ¶1. There were no significant avian influenza (AI) developments in Japan during the period August 03 to August ¶10. No human or animal outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza were reported in Japan during the above period. -- Importation of German Chickens to Resume -- ¶2. On August 8, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries announced that it has lifted import bans on German chicken products that were imposed on April 6 due to outbreaks of H5N1 avian influenza in the State of Sachsen. -- AI Vaccine Factory Causes Public Anxiety -- ¶3. The Ohno City Government revealed that an animal pharmaceutical company plans to build a factory to produce a new avian influenza vaccine in Ohno City, Fukui Prefecture. Because it will be the first factory in the country to produce an avian influenza vaccine using gene conversion technology, it is expected to cause anxiety among local residents. The company explained that it would seek acceptance from local residents before submitting an application to build the facility to the authorities. In May, the city government established a study group to consult with experts on infectious diseases. In an effort to assuage local concerns, the study group will disclose information it has gathered to the public. Shigeta Animal Pharmaceutical Inc. developed the vaccine exclusively effective for H5N1 virus in cooperation with Bogor Agriculture University this spring. The company currently produces the vaccine in Jakarta and plans to begin marketing it once it has produced enough to meet demand. They are building another factory in Jakarta for mass production. SCHIEFFER