Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08AMMAN633
2008-02-27 12:24:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Amman
Cable title:
Embassy Avian Influenza Task Force Meeting - Jordan
how-toVZCZCXRO8457 RR RUEHRN DE RUEHAM #0633 0581224 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 271224Z FEB 08 FM AMEMBASSY AMMAN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1925 INFO RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHDC RUEHPH/CDC ATLANTA GA RUEHRC/USDA FAS WASHDC RHEFAFM/DIRAFMIC FT DETRICK MD RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 0587 RUEHGB/AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD 5844 RUEHLB/AMEMBASSY BEIRUT 2805 RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 3555 RUEHDM/AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS 3816 RUEHNC/AMEMBASSY NICOSIA 0947 RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH 1903 RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 1052 RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 4891 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0648 RUEHRN/USMISSION UN ROME
UNCLAS AMMAN 000633
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AIAG/WINN, OES, M/MED, NEA/RA/LAWSON
STATE PASS USAID FOR GLOBAL HEALTH
USDA FOR APHIS
GENEVA FOR WHO REPRESENTATIVE
USUN ROME FOR FAO
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO KFLU JO
SUBJECT: Embassy Avian Influenza Task Force Meeting - Jordan
Continues Capacity-Building; Embassy Guidance Updated
REF: A. Amman 159
B. Amman 69
C. 07 Amman 5012
D. 07 Amman 1276
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. HANDLE ACCORDINGLY.
UNCLAS AMMAN 000633
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AIAG/WINN, OES, M/MED, NEA/RA/LAWSON
STATE PASS USAID FOR GLOBAL HEALTH
USDA FOR APHIS
GENEVA FOR WHO REPRESENTATIVE
USUN ROME FOR FAO
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO KFLU JO
SUBJECT: Embassy Avian Influenza Task Force Meeting - Jordan
Continues Capacity-Building; Embassy Guidance Updated
REF: A. Amman 159
B. Amman 69
C. 07 Amman 5012
D. 07 Amman 1276
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. HANDLE ACCORDINGLY.
1. (SBU) Embassy Amman's Avian Influenza (AI) Task Force met
February 20 to review the status of avian flu tracking and
preparedness in Jordan. Jordan has not reported any new cases of AI
since March 2006. Jordan has also participated in regional
preparedness planning exercises through the Middle East Consortium
of Infectious Diseases. The first table-top exercise for pandemic
flu was held in January 2008 and the draft report is currently being
finalized (ref A). Additional regional tabletop exercises are
likely to be scheduled in 2008.
2. (U) With the assistance of the Food and Agriculture Organization
(FAO),the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) continues to establish
national active surveillance systems for backyard, commercial, and
migratory birds. The MOA has developed field manuals and lab
diagnostic kits to support its field staff in its surveillance
programs, and developed its own trip-wires (posted on its website in
Arabic). The MOA has also received additional testing kits from the
FAO.
3. (SBU) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Resident
Advisor Gerber gave an overview of the global avian influenza
situation, currently at the WHO's phase three definition (cases in
birds, but no efficient human-to-human transmission). Embassy Amman
trip-wires were reviewed, and no changes were deemed necessary at
this time. Post's medical unit is updating its list of employees
and family members having medical capabilities or first-responder
skills who could be called upon for assistance in case of a
pandemic. Embassy country clearance templates and consular
information sheets have also been reviewed to reflect current
information on the existing AI threat and appropriate precautions.
Visit Amman's Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman
HALE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR AIAG/WINN, OES, M/MED, NEA/RA/LAWSON
STATE PASS USAID FOR GLOBAL HEALTH
USDA FOR APHIS
GENEVA FOR WHO REPRESENTATIVE
USUN ROME FOR FAO
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO KFLU JO
SUBJECT: Embassy Avian Influenza Task Force Meeting - Jordan
Continues Capacity-Building; Embassy Guidance Updated
REF: A. Amman 159
B. Amman 69
C. 07 Amman 5012
D. 07 Amman 1276
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. HANDLE ACCORDINGLY.
1. (SBU) Embassy Amman's Avian Influenza (AI) Task Force met
February 20 to review the status of avian flu tracking and
preparedness in Jordan. Jordan has not reported any new cases of AI
since March 2006. Jordan has also participated in regional
preparedness planning exercises through the Middle East Consortium
of Infectious Diseases. The first table-top exercise for pandemic
flu was held in January 2008 and the draft report is currently being
finalized (ref A). Additional regional tabletop exercises are
likely to be scheduled in 2008.
2. (U) With the assistance of the Food and Agriculture Organization
(FAO),the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) continues to establish
national active surveillance systems for backyard, commercial, and
migratory birds. The MOA has developed field manuals and lab
diagnostic kits to support its field staff in its surveillance
programs, and developed its own trip-wires (posted on its website in
Arabic). The MOA has also received additional testing kits from the
FAO.
3. (SBU) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Resident
Advisor Gerber gave an overview of the global avian influenza
situation, currently at the WHO's phase three definition (cases in
birds, but no efficient human-to-human transmission). Embassy Amman
trip-wires were reviewed, and no changes were deemed necessary at
this time. Post's medical unit is updating its list of employees
and family members having medical capabilities or first-responder
skills who could be called upon for assistance in case of a
pandemic. Embassy country clearance templates and consular
information sheets have also been reviewed to reflect current
information on the existing AI threat and appropriate precautions.
Visit Amman's Classified Website at:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman
HALE