CROATIA: AVIAN INFLUENZA UPDATE: FEBRUARY

UNCLAS ZAGREB 000252 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT PLEASE PASS TO DS/DSS, DS/IP, M/MED/JCTRIPLETT FAS/CMP/DLP WETZEL AND MAGGINNIS FAS/ITP/EAMED POMEROY AND FLEMING CA/OCS/ACS DAVID SCHENSTED USAID FOR E&E/ECA/B/ANNE CONVERY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KFLU TBIO SENV ECON EAGR PREL CASC HR SUBJECT: CROATIA: AVIAN INFLUENZA UPDATE: FEBRUARY 27 REF: ZAGREB 0236 AND PREVIOUS ¶1. On February 27, the Poultry Center lab at the Croatian Veterinary Institute confirmed that a dead swan found at the Pantan nature park near the coastal town of Trogir tested positive for H5N1. The GOC has initiated bio-safety measures and the culling of approximately 500 fowl within three kilometers of the site has been completed. The discovery of the infected swan has not activated any of Embassy Zagreb's tripwires. Post is clearing an updated warden message with information on the reappearance of H5N1 in Croatia and the State Department's avian and pandemic flu fact sheet. Additionally, the first of a series of American citizen town hall meetings is scheduled for February 27 in Opatija. Information on avian and pandemic influenza will be provided at the town halls. FRANK