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