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.

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Comment
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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