TURKEY: NEW AVIAN INFLUENZA OUTBREAK

UNCLAS ANKARA 000202 SIPDIS STATE ALSO FOR STUDZINSKI AND LANGE USAID FOR TROSTLE, BLANCHET AND CARROLL HHS FOR WSTEIGER/PBUDASHEWITZ FAS FOR OCRA; OSTA FAS PASS FSIS AND APHIS VIENNA FOR APHIS BRUSSELS FOR APHIS/FERNANDEZ GENEVA FOR HEALTH ATTACHE ROME FOR US MISSION TO FAO SIPDIS E.O. 12958:N/A TAGS: KFLU ETRD EAGR KPAO TBIO AMED CASC EAID SENV TU SUBJECT: TURKEY: NEW AVIAN INFLUENZA OUTBREAK REF: ANKARA 147 AND PREVIOUS ¶1. The Ministry of Agriculture announced on February 4th, that there is a new outbreak of Avian Influenza in the country. This outbreak is in Samsun province on the Black Sea, about 400 Kilometers east of Zonguldak, where the last outbreak occurred. ¶2. On January 28, Ministry officials were informed about a possible case of Avian Influenza (AI) in dead backyard poultry in the 19 May District of Samsun Province. Ministry provincial officials went to the location, started quarantine measures, and took samples from the suspicious birds on the same day. The initial laboratory tests results confirmed that the birds were infected with AI. ¶3. The infected area is situated near a wetland area and the backyard poultry live in close contact with wild birds. The source of disease is most probably the wild water birds. ¶4. A total of 37 backyard poultry owned by eight families in the village, were culled as a precautionary measure in the area on the first day. The Ministry stated that it has taken all other necessary measures. Surveillance and quarantine measures in the area are continuing. ¶5. It is not yet clear if this is H5N1 strain of the AI virus. ¶6. Comment: At this point, everything seems to be under control. However, Embassy Ag office is concerned of possible economic effects if more cases develop and they are in Western Turkey close to the commercial poultry operations. Currently, the two outbreaks have only affected a small number of birds and have been in villages far from commercial facilities. Wilson