H5N1 UPDATE 3: GOB RESUMES CULLING

UNCLAS COTONOU 000003 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/W DBANKS AND G/AIAG MJONES DEPT PLEASE PASS USAID FOR MHARVEY, GGREER, GBERTOLIN, NSTUDZINSKI, JBORRAZZO, MFOTHERINGHAM USDA FOR FAS MROSENBLUM CDC FOR INFLUENZA DIVISION DGROSS AND CDUGGAR DAKAR FOR USDA/APHIS CFRENCH AND RCOLY AND USAID ROME FOR SPANOS ABIDJAN FOR CDC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR TBIO KFLU BN SUBJECT: H5N1 UPDATE 3: GOB RESUMES CULLING REF: (A) COTONOU 964 (B) COTONOU 963 ¶1. The GOB resumed culling operations on December 30 after culling stopped on December 23 due to lack of funds. The GOB plans to implement its communications plan, starting before January 5, with UNICEF funding. Post anticipates the GOB will make a formal request for additional equipment necessary for culling and surveillance operations. ¶2. The Ambassador discussed the cessation of culling and the threat it posed to animal and public health with President Yayi on the morning of December 28. The GOB subsequently released 244 million FCFA (approximately $540 thousand) previously appropriated funding for culling (Ref A) on December 28 and culling operations resumed on December 30. As of January 2, the GOB had culled 21,500 birds. The GOB also set up roadblocks between the Oueme area, the location of most of the outbreaks, and Cotonou to prevent the transportation of poultry to Cotonou. ¶3. President Yayi, after meeting with the Ambassador, directed Bio Sourokou, the Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, to meet with the USAID Mission Director on December 31 to discuss the GOB's efforts to contain AI and possible assistance the USG could offer. At the meeting, in addition to providing information on the culling operations, Sourokou stated the GOB was having difficulty implementing its AI communications plan due to delays in UNICEF's funding operation. Note. Post learned UNICEF released $67 thousand to the GOB on January 2 to begin implementing the communications plan. End Note. The Mission Director provided Sourokou with information on the means through which USAID's STOP AI program could assist with the communication plan's implementation. ¶4. The Mission Director encouraged Sourouko and his colleagues in the Ministry of Agriculture's Livestock Department to assess their current supply of PPE and diagnostic equipment to ensure it was sufficient to meet the demand if additional outbreaks occur. Sourouko stated if there was a need for additional assistance the GOB would make an official request for that assistance to Post. BROWN