AVIAN FLU SITREP NO. 3: 7 NEW CASES REPORTED;

UNCLAS KUWAIT 000305 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR AIAG, NEA/ARP, NEA/RA CAIRO FOR LINDA LOGAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AMED CASC KFLU TBIO KU SUBJECT: AVIAN FLU SITREP NO. 3: 7 NEW CASES REPORTED; LIMITED CULLING; TEAMS DISINFECTING POULTRY FARMS REF: A. KUWAIT 295 ¶B. KUWAIT 285 ¶1. The total number of confirmed cases in Kuwaiti birds is up to 46 as of 1200 GMT on March 3. The new cases, two identified on March 1 and five on March 2, included chickens, falcons, and quail. There have still been no cases identified on commercial farms. Bans on the import and selling of live birds remain in force. Tests of a total of 103 people who were in close contact with infected birds have all come back negative. ¶2. Ministry of Health Spokesman Ahmad Al-Shatti announced on March 2 that the Public Authority for Agricultural Affairs and Fish Resources (PAAAFR) had dispatched 45 health teams to disinfect and fumigate all poultry farms to prevent the spread of the virus. On 28 February, the PAAAFR announced that it had culled and buried 700 pigeons at a farm in the agricultural town of Wafra, where previous cases of bird flu were detected. Al-Shatti said that the Government had culled thousands of birds since the outbreak began, but did not give a precise figure. ¶3. Al-Shatti also announced on 28 February that Kuwait possessed 10 million capsules of Tamiflu, which could cover at least 40 per cent of Kuwait's population. In previous remarks, Al-Shatti had claimed that there were 5 million capsules, and Director of Public Health Dr. Ali Al-Seif had said that there was enough Tamiflu for the entire population. ¶4. Post issued a warden message on February 28 to inform the American community of the scope of the outbreak and to recommend precautions in accordance with CDC and WHO guidance. Response to the warden notice has been limited - Embassy received only three calls in three days. Callers asked about precautions and inquired as to whether the Embassy could administer Tamiflu. Post Medical Officer responded that the Embassy did not intend to issue the drug to the American population, but the Government of Kuwait had a pandemic flu plan and a stockpile of Tamiflu which it could issue to the general population in the event of a major outbreak. She also encouraged Amcits to ask their employers about their own pandemic flu plans. ¶5. Post has tried for the last three days to establish direct contact with PAAAFR to no avail. Until he is able to speak directly with PAAAFR officials to confirm that there have been no appearances of the virus on commercial farms, ARCENT Medical Officer does not intend to lift the temporary suspension on the purchase of eggs from Kuwaiti farms. ¶6. Embassy has still received no reports of new restrictions at Kuwait's borders or any disruption to military logistics flows between Kuwait and Iraq. ********************************************* * For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/?cable s Visit Kuwait's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/kuwait/ ********************************************* * LeBaron