Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07CAIRO154
2007-01-22 05:15:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Cairo
Cable title:
EGYPT: 19TH HUMAN AVIAN INFLUENZA CASE SHOWS NO
how-toVZCZCXRO3961 PP RUEHBC RUEHDE RUEHHM RUEHKUK RUEHLN RUEHMA RUEHPB RUEHROV DE RUEHEG #0154 0220515 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 220515Z JAN 07 FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3271 INFO RUEHEE/ARAB LEAGUE COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHZN/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA PRIORITY RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHDC PRIORITY RUENAAA/SECNAV WASHDC PRIORITY RHEHAAA/WHITEHOUSE WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS CAIRO 000154
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR NEA/ELA, AND AIAG FOR WINN
AMMAN FOR WHITTLESEY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KFLU KSTH TBIO ECON PREL WHO EG
SUBJECT: EGYPT: 19TH HUMAN AVIAN INFLUENZA CASE SHOWS NO
SIGN OF TAMIFLU RESISTANCE
REF: CAIRO 130
Sensitive but unclassified. Not for internet distribution.
UNCLAS CAIRO 000154
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR NEA/ELA, AND AIAG FOR WINN
AMMAN FOR WHITTLESEY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KFLU KSTH TBIO ECON PREL WHO EG
SUBJECT: EGYPT: 19TH HUMAN AVIAN INFLUENZA CASE SHOWS NO
SIGN OF TAMIFLU RESISTANCE
REF: CAIRO 130
Sensitive but unclassified. Not for internet distribution.
1. (SBU) Scientists at NAMRU-3 reported to Emboff on January
21 that the H5N1 avian influenza virus responsible for the
death of an Egyptian woman on January 19 does not contain the
genetic mutation (N294S) that shows resistance to oseltamivir
(Tamiflu). (Note: On January 16, alarm bells sounded when
the CDC confirmed that two H5N1 deaths in Gharbiya in late
December (reftel) showed a mutation indicating moderate
resistance to Tamiflu. End Note.) NAMRU-3 officials
informed counterparts at the Ministry of Health and
Population (MOHP) of the most recent finding, who breathed a
sigh of relief for the time being as Egypt has stockpiled
massive amounts of Tamiflu, a primary defense against the
avian influenza virus.
2. (U) The latest victim was a twenty-seven year old
housewife from Biba City in the central Egyptian governorate
of Beni Suef who had been raising hens in her home. She was
admitted to the El-Omrania chest hospital in Giza on January
13 with pneumonia-like symptoms. The patient was
administered Tamiflu, but succumbed to the disease, bringing
the total number of deaths to 11 out of 19 confirmed cases
since February 2006. Worldwide, H5N1 has a 60% mortality
rate, including those administered Tamiflu.
3. (SBU) Following the CDC's January 16 confirmation of
Tamiflu resistance in the Gharbiya cases (reftel),the WHO
issued a press release stating, "at this time there is not
indication at oseltamivir (Tamilflu) resistance is widespread
in Egypt or elsewhere," and noted that the public health
ramifications are limited. Human-to-human transmission in
Egypt has not been confirmed in any of the 19 cases to date.
While Tamiflu resistance still cannot be characterized as
widespread, NAMRU, in conjunction with MOHP, will closely
monitor all emerging AI cases for this and other mutations.
RICCIARDONE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE FOR NEA/ELA, AND AIAG FOR WINN
AMMAN FOR WHITTLESEY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KFLU KSTH TBIO ECON PREL WHO EG
SUBJECT: EGYPT: 19TH HUMAN AVIAN INFLUENZA CASE SHOWS NO
SIGN OF TAMIFLU RESISTANCE
REF: CAIRO 130
Sensitive but unclassified. Not for internet distribution.
1. (SBU) Scientists at NAMRU-3 reported to Emboff on January
21 that the H5N1 avian influenza virus responsible for the
death of an Egyptian woman on January 19 does not contain the
genetic mutation (N294S) that shows resistance to oseltamivir
(Tamiflu). (Note: On January 16, alarm bells sounded when
the CDC confirmed that two H5N1 deaths in Gharbiya in late
December (reftel) showed a mutation indicating moderate
resistance to Tamiflu. End Note.) NAMRU-3 officials
informed counterparts at the Ministry of Health and
Population (MOHP) of the most recent finding, who breathed a
sigh of relief for the time being as Egypt has stockpiled
massive amounts of Tamiflu, a primary defense against the
avian influenza virus.
2. (U) The latest victim was a twenty-seven year old
housewife from Biba City in the central Egyptian governorate
of Beni Suef who had been raising hens in her home. She was
admitted to the El-Omrania chest hospital in Giza on January
13 with pneumonia-like symptoms. The patient was
administered Tamiflu, but succumbed to the disease, bringing
the total number of deaths to 11 out of 19 confirmed cases
since February 2006. Worldwide, H5N1 has a 60% mortality
rate, including those administered Tamiflu.
3. (SBU) Following the CDC's January 16 confirmation of
Tamiflu resistance in the Gharbiya cases (reftel),the WHO
issued a press release stating, "at this time there is not
indication at oseltamivir (Tamilflu) resistance is widespread
in Egypt or elsewhere," and noted that the public health
ramifications are limited. Human-to-human transmission in
Egypt has not been confirmed in any of the 19 cases to date.
While Tamiflu resistance still cannot be characterized as
widespread, NAMRU, in conjunction with MOHP, will closely
monitor all emerging AI cases for this and other mutations.
RICCIARDONE