Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07DARESSALAAM694
2007-05-14 03:30:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Cable title:  

INFLUENZA COOPERATION, CAPACITY-BUILDING NEEDED,

Tags:  TBIO AORC PREL KFLU WHO TZ 
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VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHDR #0694 1340330
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 140330Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6137
INFO RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA IMMEDIATE 0435
UNCLAS DAR ES SALAAM 000694 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

IO, G/AIG, ISN, AF/E FOR BARBARA YODER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO AORC PREL KFLU WHO TZ
SUBJECT: INFLUENZA COOPERATION, CAPACITY-BUILDING NEEDED,
SAYS TANZANIA

REF: STATE 61739

UNCLAS DAR ES SALAAM 000694

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

IO, G/AIG, ISN, AF/E FOR BARBARA YODER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO AORC PREL KFLU WHO TZ
SUBJECT: INFLUENZA COOPERATION, CAPACITY-BUILDING NEEDED,
SAYS TANZANIA

REF: STATE 61739


1. (U) The Government of Tanzania (GOT) lacks the capacity
to generate data and samples to contribute to the World
Health Organization's (WHO) Global Influenza Surveillance
Network, but believes WHO member states are obliged by WHO
agreements to contribute such data and samples. Dr. Peter
Mmbuji, Director of Epidemiology at the Ministry of Health,
confirmed to Econoff in a May 10 meeting that the GOT would
share such data and samples with the WHO should it have the
capacity to generate them. Mmbuji believes countries that
are raising the issue of refusing to share samples with the
WHO network are doing so in order to create a discussion
regarding potential cost subsidies and, "once open to
discussion, solutions can be found."


2. (U) Mmbuji emphasized that developing countries,
including Tanzania, need assistance to develop technical
capacity and noted Tanzania is one of a group of countries
that has submitted to the US Centers for Disease Control and
Prvention (CDC) a proposal for a Global Influenza Initiative.
This initiative will form a cooperative agreement between
CDC and certain developing countries for capacity-building in
influenza surveillance and sample collection and testing.
Econoff noted that the USG provided USD 10 million to the WHO
to expand the development and manufacture of influenza
vaccines in developing countries and is willing to consider
contributions to both pre-pandemic and virtual pandemic
stockpiles, all of which Mmbuji noted with approval.


3. (U) The destruction of known smallpox virus stocks is "a
challenging issue," Mmbuji said, but added that he did not
know the position of the GOT on this issue. David Mwakyusa,
Minister of Health and Social Welfare and head of the GOT
delegation to the WHA, is in Geneva for meetings in advance
of the WHA and, therefore, unavailable for comment in Dar es
Salaam. Post suggests the USG delegation contact Minister
Mwakyusa in Geneva to clarify the GOT position regarding
destruction of the smallpox virus stocks.


4. (U) The GOT delegation to the WHA will include:
Hon. David Mwakyusa, Minister of Health and Social Welfare;
Ms. Hilda Gondwe, Permanent Secretary of Health and Social
Welfare;
Dr. Deogratius Mtasiwa, Chief Medical Officer;
Dr. Peter Mmbuji, Director of Epidemiology; and
Dr. Rafael B.M. Kalinga, Assistant Director of Epidemiology.


5. (U) COMMENT: Dr. Mmbuji failed to mention specifically
the assistance currently provided by the Agency for
International Development (AID) and CDC regarding influenza
surveillance. AID supports influenza surveillance, diagnosis
and reporting of both human and animal cases through the
Avian Influenza program with the Ministry of Livestock and
the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. The Influenza
Coordinator at CDC Tanzania is working with Mmbuji to develop
the proposal he mentioned to Econoff regarding a cooperative
agreement for capacity-building. Parties expect to submit
the proposal to CDC Atlanta on May 14. CDC works through,
and with, the WHO Global Influenza Surveillance Network at
global and country levels. END COMMENT
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