INFLUENZA COOPERATION, CAPACITY-BUILDING NEEDED,

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 RETZER