AVIAN INFLUENZA: JAPAN WEEKLY REPORT MARCH 22

UNCLAS TOKYO 001286 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AIAG AMBASSADOR LANGE DEPT FOR OES/IHA COMELLA DEPT FOR EAP/J USDA PASS TO APHIS HHS PASS TO CDC HHS FOR OGHA STEIGER AND BHAT DEPT PASS TO AID/GH/HIDN DENNIS CARROLL SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TBIO KFLU KSTH ECON PREL SOCI CASC JA SUBJECT: AVIAN INFLUENZA: JAPAN WEEKLY REPORT MARCH 22 REF: A. 05 STATE 153802 ¶B. TOKYO 689 AND PREVIOUS ¶1. No human outbreaks of H5N1 AI were reported in Japan during the period from February 15 to March 22. -- H5N1 detected in wild bird - ¶2. On March 18, the Ministry of Environment (MOE) announced that the H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus was detected in a wild Mountain Hawk-eagle, which was taken into custody in Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu. An official of the MOE Wildlife Division commented that the infected eagle was captured on January 4th, implying that the H5N1 virus was present in Kumamoto Prefecture at the time when AI outbreaks were reported in Kyushu's Miyazaki Prefecture. This also may support the hypothesis that the virus was brought to Kyushu by migrating birds from China. The sample has been sent to the National Institute of Animal Health in Tsukuba to identify the DNA sequence. MOE has started an investigation of wild birds in the area where the affected eagle was found. They are looking for any evidence of large-scale die-offs and are collecting avian fecal samples. Tottori University will analyze the results of the investigation by early April. -- MHLW has decided not to give Tamiflu to teenagers - ¶3. On March 20, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) ordered Tamiflu's importer, Chugai Pharmaceutical Company, to revise Tamiflu's warning labels. The decision was made because of concerns about abnormal behavior resulting from the use of Tamiflu. The new labels advise that teenage patients should not use Tamiflu, unless they are at high risk of contracting the flu because of complications, existing conditions or other factors. Chugai also advises that children up to nine years old can take the drug, but warns that its use could result in abnormal behavior. On March 21, MHLW announced that, since JFY 2004, there have been 15 cases reported where teenage patients jumped off buildings after taking Tamiflu. In adult patients aged 26-74, there have been seven cases of abnormal behavior reported. Although MHLW had originally supported the October 2006 study, which concluded that there are no specific causal links between Tamiflu and abnormal behavior, MHLW decided on the March 22nd to investigate all 1800 cases of suspected side effects of Tamiflu reported. SHIEFFER