NEW H5N1 DISCOVERED IN PREVIOUSLY UNINFECTED AREA

C O N F I D E N T I A L RIYADH 001062 SIPDIS C O N F I D E N T I A L SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR A/MED JOHN TRIPLETT AND G-STAFF JED MELINE E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/19/2017 TAGS: AMED EPET IO PGOV PTER SA SUBJECT: NEW H5N1 DISCOVERED IN PREVIOUSLY UNINFECTED AREA OF SAUDI ARABIA REF: RIYADH 599 Classified By: ECONOMIC COUNSELOR SILVERMAN FOR 12958 1.4 B, D, AND E. ¶1. (C) Summary: Two highly pathogenic H5N1 cases were discovered in Hail during a recent joint FAO-USDA rapid deployment mission to Saudi Arabia. While Saudi officials claim to have conducted bird culls within a 5 kilometer radius of the infected farm, the Ministry of Agriculture failed to provided evidence that the culling operation took place, leading the delegation to doubt the veracity of their reports. Post will meet with relevant contacts in the Ministries of Health and Agriculture, and the in-country World Health Organization representative to get more information on the Saudi response. ¶2. (U) Dr. Huaguang Lu, a Senior Research Associated at Penn State University working with the joint FAO-USDA rapid deployment mission, conducted a 2-week technical training program from April 29 to May 15 for laboratory technicians at the Saudi Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) Veterinarian Laboratories Administration (VLA). Prior to Dr. Lu,s arrival, VLA had high-tech equipment in storage due to the inability of lab technicians to operate such equipment. Post is confident that following USDA,s training, VLA technicians will be able to put this equipment to use and follow established procedures upon the detection of positive H5N1 cases. Mission Saudi Arabia is grateful for USDA's prompt and much needed assistance. ¶3. (C) During the training exercise, two positive H5N1 cases were detected at a private poultry farm in Hail, in the north of Saudi Arabia. The VLA, under Dr. Lu's direct supervision, conducted quick screening, PCR, and chicken embryo tests on the farm birds. All 30 chicken embryos died within 24 hours of exposure to the virus, indicating the presence of a highly pathogenic H5N1 strain. Of the 150 chickens on the farm, 41 died, as well as two turkeys. ¶4. (C) Local press have so far carried limited reports on this threat (reftel.) A May 13 report in the local Saudi Gazette said that GAAA, supported by a Civil Defense team, incinerated the remaining chickens found on the farm following suspicions that the birds were carrying avian flu. Several chickens had already been incinerated at the farm the week before. A 40-year-old Indian worker from the same farm was admitted to the Isolation Room of Hail General Hospital due to suspicions that he displayed bird flu symptoms. Director General of Health Affairs in Hail told local press that the worker has a fever and that his samples had been sent to Riyadh for testing. He added that four humans had come in contact with the worker but none of them displayed any symptoms. The four individuals were given medication as a precautionary measure and told to visit the hospital if any symptoms arise. Press reports said that the Health Care Department will sterilize the area where the birds were found. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶5. (C) Dr. Lu relayed his concerns, confidentially, that the SAG does not appear to have reported the positive cases of avian flu via established methods and protocols for monitoring bird flu outbreaks within the United Nations system. He made inquiries with the Ministry of Agriculture regarding actions taken to cull birds in the area of infection. He was told birds were culled in a 5 kilometer radius of the infected farm. However, Ministry of Agriculture personnel could describe none of the details of the culling operation or how the birds' bodies were disposed of, leading Dr. Lu to doubt the veracity of their reports. Mission is concerned the SAG, a major poultry exporter in the region, may be choosing not to officially report cases of bird flu to avoid damaging its economic interests. GFOELLER