WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY DEMARCHE - THAI RESPONSE

UNCLAS BANGKOK 002680 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR IO, G/AIAG, ISN E.O. 12958:N/A TAGS: TBIO AORC PREL KFLU WHO TH SUBJECT: WORLD HEALTH ASSEMBLY DEMARCHE - THAI RESPONSE REF: STATE 61739 ¶1. On May 14, Econoff delivered talking points per reftel to Dr. Thawat Suntharajarn, Director General of the Department of Disease Control. Dr. Thawat explained that although Thailand had not had a case of avian influenza for approximately one year, the RTG position for future cases is to cooperate in sharing virus specimens through the WHO. Dr. Thawat said the RTG was in agreement with Indonesia that developing countries need a guarantee for access to vaccines developed through the shared virus samples, and would be presenting proposed criteria for such an arrangement at the WHA meetings. ¶2. Dr. Thawat said the RTG supports the destruction of remaining smallpox stocks "as soon as possible, but not immediately." Thailand is concerned about the risk of bioterrorists obtaining access to smallpox samples. However, the RTG recognizes the need for research and suggested maintaining DNA samples rather than actual tissue samples of the virus. BOYCE