NEW H5N1 OUTBREAK IN KABUL

UNCLAS KABUL 001340 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/FO, SCA/RA, AND SCA/A DEPT FOR G/JLANGE AND HSUMMERS DEPT FOR OES STATE PLEASE PASS TO AID/ANE/TS ACLEMENTS NSC FOR AHARRIMAN CENTCOM FOR CG CFC-A OSD FOR BRZEZINSKI E.O. 12958 N/A TAGS: KFLU SOCI ECON CASC AF SUBJECT: NEW H5N1 OUTBREAK IN KABUL Ref: A. Kabul 827 B. Kabul 582 ¶1. Three positive cases of Type A, H5N1 avian influenza in birds were found in the Karte Char and Karte Seh areas of Kabul City on April 17, 2007 and were confirmed by laboratory diagnosis at the Central Veterinary Diagnostic and Research Laboratories in Kabul. A total of eight birds were tested. Following confirmation of the diagnosis, the Ministry of Agriculture sent its teams to the area for culling in the index house and surrounding flocks. A team of emergency surveillance personnel from the Ministry of Public Health has been sent to the area for primary investigation and health education messages for the surrounding population. Follow up actions, testing and education will continue to determine the success of the containment efforts or further spread of the disease. ¶2. The major pattern of bird deaths and infections in Afghanistan appears to be primarily centered on the bird markets. The Ministry of Agriculture is making an effort to study the patterns of infection and transmission in greater detail and to provide incentives for commercial bird tradesmen to identify sick birds and seek assistance in their immediate culling and disposal. ¶3. Earlier this year, the H5N1 virus had broken out in several districts of Nangarhar, Kunar, and Kabul provinces, following infection from imported birds from Pakistan (reftels). The spread had been checked, and no new cases had been reported for several weeks. Following the pattern of infection from earlier this year and last year, further new outbreaks from the illegal importation of birds from Pakistan can be expected. As we did for the March outbreak, Embassy is preparing a warden message for the American community in Kabul and an administrative notice to the Embassy community. WOOD