Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07KUWAIT461
2007-04-02 12:18:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kuwait
Cable title:
KUWAIT AVIAN FLU UPDATE #6
how-toVZCZCXRO1753 PP RUEHDE RUEHDIR DE RUEHKU #0461 0921218 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 021218Z APR 07 FM AMEMBASSY KUWAIT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8653 INFO RUEHZM/GCC COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD 0830 RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 1772 RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 1033 RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1376 RHWSMRC/USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL RUEHKU/OMC-K KUWAIT KU
UNCLAS KUWAIT 000461
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE, SIPDIS
STATE FOR AIAG, NEA/ARP, NEA/RA; CAIRO FOR LINDA LOGAN
AMMAN FOR WHITTLESEY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMED CASC KSCA SENV TBIO KU
SUBJECT: KUWAIT AVIAN FLU UPDATE #6
Ref: Kuwait 332 and previous
UNCLAS KUWAIT 000461
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE, SIPDIS
STATE FOR AIAG, NEA/ARP, NEA/RA; CAIRO FOR LINDA LOGAN
AMMAN FOR WHITTLESEY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMED CASC KSCA SENV TBIO KU
SUBJECT: KUWAIT AVIAN FLU UPDATE #6
Ref: Kuwait 332 and previous
1. (SBU) On March 31, Minister of Health Dr. Maasouma Al-Mubarak
announced that Kuwait would cull 1.5 million birds (mainly chickens)
in response to 40 new confirmed cases of H5N1 in poultry. On April
1, Kuwait confirmed five more cases, bringing the total number to
101, but there are still no confirmed human cases. Al-Mubarak said
the 45 new cases, the first new cases in over a week, were
discovered after Public Authority for Agriculture and Fish Resources
(PAAAFR) inspectors tested more than 11,000 birds at both commercial
farms and household pens. Of the new cases, 20 were from four of
Kuwait's 16 large commercial poultry farms in Wafra, near the Saudi
border. Of the 1.5 million birds to be culled, 1.1 million are from
these four farms. The birds to be culled represent 88% of Kuwait's
total egg production. According to media reports, the GOK has
pledged to pay compensation totaling USD 52 million to bird owners.
2. (SBU) Post has learned that Director of Animal Health at the
Public Authority for Agriculture and Fish Resources (PAAAFR),Dr.
Farida Al-Mulla, has been removed from the position and is no longer
involved in Kuwait's avian influenza response effort. Her
replacement is Nabila Al-Ali, who was apparently shifted from
another position within the PAAAFR. Post will meet with Al-Ali next
week.
3. (SBU) Kuwait continues to ban the import of live birds and has
ordered poultry shops in residential areas closed.
********************************************* *
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/
*********************************************
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE, SIPDIS
STATE FOR AIAG, NEA/ARP, NEA/RA; CAIRO FOR LINDA LOGAN
AMMAN FOR WHITTLESEY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMED CASC KSCA SENV TBIO KU
SUBJECT: KUWAIT AVIAN FLU UPDATE #6
Ref: Kuwait 332 and previous
1. (SBU) On March 31, Minister of Health Dr. Maasouma Al-Mubarak
announced that Kuwait would cull 1.5 million birds (mainly chickens)
in response to 40 new confirmed cases of H5N1 in poultry. On April
1, Kuwait confirmed five more cases, bringing the total number to
101, but there are still no confirmed human cases. Al-Mubarak said
the 45 new cases, the first new cases in over a week, were
discovered after Public Authority for Agriculture and Fish Resources
(PAAAFR) inspectors tested more than 11,000 birds at both commercial
farms and household pens. Of the new cases, 20 were from four of
Kuwait's 16 large commercial poultry farms in Wafra, near the Saudi
border. Of the 1.5 million birds to be culled, 1.1 million are from
these four farms. The birds to be culled represent 88% of Kuwait's
total egg production. According to media reports, the GOK has
pledged to pay compensation totaling USD 52 million to bird owners.
2. (SBU) Post has learned that Director of Animal Health at the
Public Authority for Agriculture and Fish Resources (PAAAFR),Dr.
Farida Al-Mulla, has been removed from the position and is no longer
involved in Kuwait's avian influenza response effort. Her
replacement is Nabila Al-Ali, who was apparently shifted from
another position within the PAAAFR. Post will meet with Al-Ali next
week.
3. (SBU) Kuwait continues to ban the import of live birds and has
ordered poultry shops in residential areas closed.
********************************************* *
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/
*********************************************