AZERBAIJAN: U.S. SPEAKER ON AVIAN INFLUENZIA ROBERT TANAKA

UNCLAS BAKU 001265 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR R/IIP/G/EUR:L SCHWARTZ; KBREISSINGER; EUR/PPD:CFITZGERALD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID EAGR KFLU KPAO AJ SUBJECT: AZERBAIJAN: U.S. SPEAKER ON AVIAN INFLUENZIA ROBERT TANAKA - EVALUATION REF A) BREISSINGER-MURPHY E-MAIL CORRESPONDENCE OF MARCH- APRIL 2007 ¶1. Summary: Embassy Baku hosted a U.S. Speaker on Avian Influenza (AI) Dr. Robert Tanaka June 12 - 16. Tanaka held meetings at the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, State Veterinary Service, visited other organizations involved in health protection issues, and conducted a media interview. Tanaka's program served to further public awareness about AI and contributed to the dialogue on this critical issue with government officials and other contacts. End summary. VISIT TO THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE ¶2. Visiting U.S. Speaker Dr. Robert Tanaka had in-depth discussions at the Ministry of Health's (MOH) Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology and the Anti-Plague Station (MOH's central laboratory) about the February 2007 suspected AI human cases in Azerbaijan's southern Salyan region. He also discussed GOAJ measures undertaken to prevent influenza outbreaks in the future. MOH officials were particularly interested in how Asian countries dealt with AI and inquired about additional assistance. During the meeting with the Head of the International Relations Department at the Ministry of Agriculture (MOAG),Dr. Tanaka addressed the question of compensation strategies. The discussion generated a variety of questions about how the Ministry can work with international organizations in order to attend laboratory diagnostics training and how to improve the quality of local veterinary services. DISCUSSIONS AT THE AZERBAIJAN CENTER OF ORNITHOLOGY AND THE STATE VETERINARY SERVICE ¶3. Dr. Tanaka met with the Director of the Azerbaijan Center of Ornithology to discuss theoretical and practical aspects of avian influenza as well as options for developing a national AI monitoring system. The interlocutors emphasized public awareness as an important component in preventing the pandemic given a series of recent suspected cases of human AI. Another meeting took place with the staff of the State Veterinary Service (SVS) and was focused on ways to increase surveillance to avoid the spread of AI in the country. The interlocutors raised a number of interesting questions about the possibility of building labs in the regions of Azerbaijan and development of professional training. DR. TANAKA MEETS WITH UNICEF ¶4. Dr. Tanaka was a guest at a dinner hosted by UNICEF where he discussed AI related issues with UNICEF's staff. They shared their experiences in dealing with AI cases. MEDIA EVENTS ¶5. Dr. Tanaka also held a media interview during which he explained the purpose of his visit and some of the most important aspects of AI. RESULT AND IMPACT ¶6. Dr. Tanaka's program was very fruitful as it helped the Post in its efforts to maintain a productive dialogue on avian influenzia with government officials, to enhance public understanding of the seriousness of the issue, and to underline the importance of civic participation in AI prevention. DERSE